ABSTRACT
Inter-ethnic conflict never arises solely and simply because of perceived ethnic or physical difference. Such perceived differences may, it is true, be the basis on which individuals within any society are assigned to social positions, but the positions themselves already exist and, by virtue of having to fill them, members of differing ethnic groups find that the conflicts between their groups become exacerbated. In talking about inter-ethnic relations in the city, therefore, while I do not deny that there are various historical reasons why certain groups entering the social system of the city are likely to suffer discriminatory treatment at the hands of their hosts, what I want to do is to show those elements of the urban social structure and conflict system which contribute to sharpening or mitigating intergroup conflict.
