Structural Pluralism in Guyana

In this chapter, various data from various sources were used to construct a profile of structural pluralism, ethnic differentiation and stratification in Guyana. The aim is to construct a representative image of the socio-economic structure of Guyana. M.G. Smith’s concepts of segmental and hierarchical plurality serve as analytic guides in assessing the socioeconomic structures in question. Secondary data from the 2012 National Census and the Minorities at Risk (MaR) database were assessed with the intent of determining to what extent the various ethnic groups in Guyana constitute distinct communities and distinct systems of social action. By this means, a profile of the segmental and plural nature of Guyana’s social system is highlighted and demonstrated. Along with these, primary data collected by means of cross-sectional surveys of the ethnic profile of business ownership in Guyana were assessed and analyzed with the intent of developing a profile of hierarchic plurality.