This article employs selected, basic theories of intergroup relations to examine and interpret the anti-Polish sentiments after the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom. It argues these theories have a universal utility for analyzing and explaining inter-group conflicts in multiracial and multicultural societies. The value of this article lies in applying a novel combination of theories to study these sentiments; it also critically reflects on the existing literature regarding the intergroup relations.
The aim of this paper is to outline the dehumanization related to the stereotype of Turks, which has existed in the Bulgarian culture for centuries. As Nick Haslam says: “subtle forms of dehumanization are also apparent in everyday social perception, including so-called hate speech”. Turks, being a large ethnic group living in Bulgaria, are still perceived with mistrust as a result of the Ottoman Empire’s legacy and religious diversity. The literature and folklore have impacted this stereotype more than other factors. As a result, the Bulgarian society has adopted an outdated perception of this minority.
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