Ethnicity, national security and democracy

The concept of ethnicity refers to the specific & social and cultural attributes such as language, religion, dress, food, music, beliefs of origin and genesis and to the social and cultural boundary between two or more self-identifying collectives, who claim a historical existence by reference to such attributes. In other words, ethnic groups are identified by a pattern of cultural significance which sustains claims of difference and distinctive-ness through historical time. Ethnic diversity has played a significant role in the maintenance of national security and promotion of multiparty democracy in a country like Mauritius. In fact, Mauritius is a classical case of ethnic diversity and multy-party democracy. However, ethnicity has also emerged a serious challenges for country like Nigeria. In fact, ethnicity is a serious threat to the national security for the entire West Africa. Proliferation of crime and violence in the post-Apartheid South Africa is a serious threat to its national security and multi-party democracy.