Since the late 1950s John Rex has been at the forefront of British sociology and in particular the sociology of 'race' and ethnicity. His research and books have spawned debate and discussion in the fields of social and political theory, housing studies, education and the experiences of Muslim minorities. This volume charts the nature, direction and significance of John Rex's work in the fields of urban sociology, ethnic relations and multicultural studies. As well as identifying important and persistent points of controversy the book also reveals much common ground and the potential for a multi-faceted approach to the theorisation of 'race' and ethnicity. "Immigration and Race Relations" includes contributions from eminent thinkers from the perspectives of sociology, social anthropology, education, philosophy, political science and cultural studies.

This book, first published in 1983, examines why people prefer to talk about immigrants or ethnic minorities when they are referring to differences marked not by the migratory process of ethnicity, but by skin colour. How, without mentioning racial criteria, have politicians managed to introduce immigration controls deliberately aimed at reducing the number of black migrants? This book identifies a central feature of British political life: the ability to justify racially discriminatory behaviour without recourse to explicit racist language. It gives an account of British racial ideology as it is practically experienced in the form of political discourse and helps to provide a theoretical understanding of its relationship to the social structure as a whole and in particular its relationship to inter- and intra-class divisions. The author argues that traditional class-based ideologies are perfectly capable of supporting racially oppressive institutions and have far better 'protective' properties than expressions of overt racism. As a result, the objective structures of British race relations are obscured by a facade of 'deracialised ideology'.