Minority

The definition of a minority group can vary, depending on specific context, but generally refers to either a sub-group that does not form either a majority or a plurality of the total population, or a group that, while not necessarily a numerical minority, is disadvantaged or otherwise has less power (whether political or economic) than a dominant group. Examples of minorities in this latter context include women in some countries and African Americans in Mississippi in the 1920s.http://academic.udayton.edu/race/01race/minor01.htm

Related Topics:
Group - Majority - Plurality

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In a socio-economic context, the term "minority" tends to refer to groups of people who, according to a particular set of criteria, are fewer in population than other ethnic groups. All criteria for ethnicity have bearing on designating a minority — language, nationality, religion, culture, lifestyle, or sexual orientation. Often this means it is outnumbered by at least one other sub-group, but not always. In the United States, the term minority typically refers to members of the non-white population, but as the numerical, social, economic, political and cultural influence of whites erodes over time in the US, and the "browning of America" is now an irreversible process, the wisdom of using the term "minority" to identify non-whites is increasingly questioned and considered offensive.

Related Topics:
People - Ethnic groups - Ethnicity - Language - Nationality - Religion - Culture - Lifestyle - Sexual orientation - United States

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In politics, a minority government may be one which is formed by a party with a plurality of seats in the national legislature, when no majority party exists.

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