Chapter 4: States and Identity

Primordialists

Identity is “natural” or God-given and unambiguously defined by clear criteria, ex. common language

Constructivism

Identities are. created through a complex process of social construction

Social construction

The process through which societies “construct” identities as actors discuss who “we” are

Consociationalism

Recognizes the existence of specific groups and grants some share power in the central government to each group, ex. Switzerland or the 1998 Belfast agreement

Centripetal approach

Means used by democracies to resolve ethnic conflict by giving leaders and parties incentives to moderate their demands

Culural nationalism

National unity based on a common cultural heritage

Civic nationalism

National unity based on a set of commonly held political beliefs

Neutral-state model

The state is neutral about but not opposed to religion ex. US (in theory)

Laicité

Religion should play no part in the government or public realm, ex. France, Turkey, Mexico

Positive accommodation

The state is neutral among but willing to support religions that it recognizes as important to civil society, ex. Germany