Looking up...
homogeneous society
/hoʊmoʊˈdʒiːniəs səˈsaɪəti/
society with uniform culture
Japan is often cited as an example of a homogeneous society where most people share the same ethnicity and cultural background.
This example shows a society where cultural and ethnic uniformity is high.
formal
A society where members share a common culture, ethnicity, language, or other unifying traits.
In a homogeneous society like Iceland, social norms and values are widely shared among the population.
This illustrates how shared cultural traits create cohesion in such societies.
Critics argue that homogeneous societies may struggle with diversity and inclusion.
This highlights a potential drawback of cultural uniformity.
Often contrasted with 'heterogeneous society,' which includes diverse cultural, ethnic, or linguistic groups.
Collocations
cultural homogeneitythe state of sharing common cultural traitsethnic homogeneitythe state of sharing a common ethnic background
Pro Tip
Avoid assumptions
Do not assume homogeneity based solely on ethnicity or language. Cultural practices, historical experiences, and social values also contribute to homogeneity.
Gold Rule
Context matters
The term 'homogeneous society' is relative. No society is entirely homogeneous; the term describes a high degree of similarity compared to others.
Word Origin
From Greek 'homos' (same) + 'genos' (kind, race), combined with Latin 'societas' (fellowship). First used in English in the early 19th century to describe societies with uniform cultural traits.
Usage Notes
The term is often used in academic and policy discussions about immigration, national identity, and social cohesion. It can carry neutral or positive connotations (e.g., stability) but may also imply exclusion or lack of diversity.
Word Breakdown
homogeneous
uniform in composition
rootsociety
a group of people living together in a community
rootEnglish Dictionary