In search of a common denominator for nation, race, nationality, people, the ethnic type of cumulative groups is construed as a device of further sociological, research. The ethnic group appears as a subtype of the Gemeinschaft, which is formed by the transposition of characteristics from the primary face-do-face group to the secondary group. Once the ethnic group has reached a certain maturity, the ideology which has led to its formation, as well as other conditions necessarily present in the early stages, may change without affecting its identity.