THE EFFECTS OF ETHNIC STEREOTYPES ON INTER ETHNIC RELATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Ethnic stereotypes in the Republic of North Macedonia between the various ethnic groups create various problems for the state and its people. The various ethnic groups in the nation, especially the dominant Macedonian and Albanian ethnic groups seem to have certain beliefs about each other that hamper progress by creating an environment of mistrust. Both of these groups seem to consider the opposite as an enemy that wants to subjugate them. The various stereotypes seem to reinforce this belief and lead to deteriorating interethnic relations. These stereotypes seem to be created and maintained by ethnic exclusion and interethnic self-segregation