Final answer:
Xenophobia refers to an irrational fear or mistrust of foreigners or different cultures. It is a concept anchored in historical and modern societal tensions, often rising in response to globalization, economic factors, and demographic shifts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Xenophobia is fear or mistrust of people who are considered strangers or foreigners. It is an irrational fear or hatred of different cultures, often manifesting as biases against people who are seen as external to a particular societal group. Xenocentrism, by contrast, is the belief that another culture is superior to one's own.
The concept of xenophobia has been prevalent throughout history, such as during the Late Republic in Rome, where accusations regarding people's origins were used as political slander, highlighting the suspicion of strangers.
In modern times, globalization and demographic changes have led to an increase in xenophobic sentiments. This can be seen with the rise of nativism in the United States, where suspicion towards non-native individuals grows. Xenophobia can be fueled by economic competition between different labor markets and concerns over cultural identity and demographic changes within a country. While it can align with racism, involving prejudice and discrimination based on racial group membership, xenophobia specifically targets perceived 'outsiders' regardless of their race or ethnicity.