Ιdentity counts: categories of identity and culture in censuses


Published: Jul 25, 2023
Keywords:
census, classification, ethnicity, language, religion
Andreas Notaras
Abstract

This article discusses the issue of identity categories and classifications and their use in censuses and surveys. Different traditions and choices apply worldwide. In Greece, language, religion and ethnic identification are not incorporated in censuses. The performative character of classification and the essentialization and reification generated by measurement have widely been acknowledged by experts. However, such contributions most commonly fail to address the consequences of the opposite choice. Do we need such data and if so, of what type? How can we address the methodological and theoretical challenges and the political risks involved in this endeavor?

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