Ethnic Residential Segregation : A Theoretical Synthesis and Empirical Review

This review examines research on ethnic residential segregation in the United States Canada Australia Britain Europe and Israel. It evaluates a theory based on principles of classic human ecology social area analysis and factorial ecology. The theory contains six core hypotheses conditioned on four structural characteristics and was developed to take account of recent research findings. Empirical results from the six countries support the theory. The similarity of segregation patterns suggests the operation of common processes of ethnic concentration and dispersal which are well-summarized by the ecological model. (EXCERPT)