British contemp. 1.

Contemporary Britain

Refers to the current cultural and social dynamics shape British society, influenced by both history and present circumstances.

Diversity and Difference

Characteristics of British culture, emphasizing that it is not singular but a collection of varied influences.

Social Class

A pervasive system in Britain that distinguishes between different groups based on economic and social factors.

National Identity

An invented sense of belonging defined by collective memories, stories, and symbols of a nation.

Nationalism

A political principle asserting that political and national units should align, described by Ernest Gellner.

Imagined Community

A concept by Benedict Anderson stating that national identity exists in the imagination of a community's members.

Hegemony

Gramsci's term explaining how the ruling class can dominate a society through cultural norms rather than force.

Banal Nationalism

The everyday, routine practices that reinforce national identities without overt displays of nationalism, as defined by Michael Billig.

Colonial Past

Britain's history of empire and its ongoing impact on social dynamics, particularly concerning race and identity.

Racial Hierarchy

A societal structuring where whiteness occupies a dominant position, particularly prevalent in discussions of British identity.