Final answer:
The relationship between minority and majority groups is characterized by the minority's unequal power and treatment. Minority status is not based on numbers but power dynamics, while intergroup relations range from pluralism to intolerance.
Step-by-step explanation:
One characteristic of the relationship between minority and majority groups is the unequal treatment and less power that minority groups have over their lives. Minority groups are identified by traits such as skin color or language, and they often find themselves in these categories involuntarily. An important aspect of minority group status is the collective awareness of being subordinate or oppressed.
Moreover, civil rights and societal functions are heavily influenced by how majority groups interact with minority groups. The majority often holds the power, which determines the protections and freedoms granted to minority groups. Noteworthy is the fact that a minority group is not necessarily a numerical minority; it is defined predominantly by its lack of power.
Intergroup relations, including those between minority and majority groups, cover a range from pluralism, marked by mutual respect and equal standing, to intolerance exemplified by acts of expulsion or genocide. Societies strive for pluralism, where cultural differences are maintained and respected, but achieving this ideal can be challenging.