Middleman minority, also known as 'market-dominant minorities', is a term used to describe (originally immigrant) minority populations that while victim to discrimination do not hold an "extreme subordinate" status in society.[1]
There are numerous examples of such groups gaining eventual prosperity in their adopted country despite discrimination. Often, they will take on roles between producer and consumer, such as trading and moneylending. Such examples include Jews, Irish, and Italians in early New York City and other parts of the USA in the 19th century, Azerbaijanis in Iran, ethnic Chinese throughout Southeast Asia, Parsis in India, Ibos in Nigeria, Marwaris in Burma, Jews and Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, Jews in some parts of Europe post WWII, Southern and Eastern Europeans in the West in the 19th century and early 20th century, people from the Soviet Blocs in the USA during the Cold War, and many others.[2]
Stereotypically, middleman minorities are thrifty and save a large portion of their incomes, and have limited interaction with the native population in a country. Education is highly valued by most of these peoples. These groups usually become the most successful ethnic groups in a society soon after they immigrate, even though they are often poor when they first arrive. Middleman minorities usually provide an economic benefit to communities and nations and often start new industries. However, their financial success, clannishness,common prejudices and paranoia against businesses and moneylending among other groups, and often disproportionate representation in universities and some technical positions can cause resentment among the native population of a country. Middleman Minorities can be victims of violence, genocide, pogroms, or other forms of repression. Other ethnic groups often accuse them of plotting conspiracies against their nation or of stealing wealth from the native population.