ABSTRACT
The United States and most of the world are confronted with crowding and perceived or real scarcity of both essential and culturally valued goods. Some people secure space and privacy, but the majority are urban by choice or necessity. The territorial integrity of the United States may develop into a further contentious issue that divides citizens from Mexican immigrants. Economist George Borjas observes that immigration depresses wages and displaces Americans from jobs, costing native-born American workers $195 billion annually. An immigration-driven surge in the labor force worsens underemployment; population growth heightens environmental stress and social fragmentation; and all rouse latent ethnic conflict. Ethnic Politics addresses the risks, sources of conflict or accommodation, and likely channels of protest or control which accompany the presence of several minorities together or, alternately, a minority and majority group residing within one territory.
