ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the importance of intergroup relations, their major types, the comparative perspective and its relevance to this topic, intergroup relations in the United States specifically, and how these phenomena operate generally worldwide. Types of intergroup contact include the following: indigenous/migrant versus migrant/indigenous contact; positive versus negative intergroup contact; low versus high levels of external migration, subordination, and importation; and the external facilitation of indigenous independence versus high levels of external exploitation of indigenous resources and labor. Types of societal structure also vary in the nature of their elites, levels of pluralism, types of intergroup policies, and economic arrangements. Indigenous/migrant, positive, independent types of historical contact in situations largely lacking in colonialism, with large, tolerant, non-exploitive elites tend to be associated with lower levels of intergroup conflict and more stable ongoing societal situations. Finally, consequent intergroup relations tend to vary in levels of social conflict, independence, elitism, internal inequality, demographic and economic dynamics, and ongoing violence.
