National Identity as a Social Construction - Essay Example

Name : xxxxxx Tutor : xxxxxxx Title : xxxxx Institution : xxxxxxx @2010 Discuss the Argument that National Identity is a Social Construction. Introduction National identity refers to the type of attachment that individuals hold with regard to their own nation. Such an identity should also point to a common history that is characterized by a collection of values that are shared among individuals and institutions. Such values are such that can point to a common culture. In Britain for instance, there exists separate national identities for various individuals like the Welsh, the Irish and the English. All these individuals with separate national identities do have an overarching identity with the UK. Human beings are such that are socially created and the impact of a social identity is very great on the human population. The aspect of identity has been closely related to the entire society in which human individuals live. This paper examines the argument that National identity is socially constructed. The Social Construction of Identity It emerges that the entire human population is socialized in different ways in to separate identities. This type of socialization illustrates the assorted ways from which the conceptions relating to the social construction of both group and individual identities are created. Identity is an aspect that tends to foster the meaning of any form of social interaction and it is normally based upon a social background. This tends to make social identity very well organized and easy to understand through the categorization of individuals in to a number of ways. Identity is such that its nature can only be depicted as a social phenomenon and also as a very dynamic aspect of any form of social life. The ability to possibly understand the fact that what human beings are is socially constructed makes it possible for human individuals to understand the fact that the way in which they are perceived by others and possibly how they perceive themselves is not a mere social static phenomenon(Woodland 2004). Identity among human populations is an aspect that fosters the understanding of who and what people are. This helps in the understanding of what human individuals perceive themselves and those around them to be. The development of an identity calls for the need to have a set of various characteristics that would possibly make it possible for the human population to define themselves as individuals, societies or groups. The Construction of National Identity among Individuals With regard to the definition of individuals, national identity points to the common history shared by a group of people. Such a common history shared by various people in a nation is such that can be depicted in various national monuments that would indicate to the people the various historical events that are commemorated among them. This then illustrates the process through which national identity becomes internalized among individuals. This implies that such an identity is possessed by an individual to the extent that it becomes a part of an individual’s self definition. Individuals are only able to associate with their national identity through various socially constructed ways. These ways in which human beings can identify with their national identities are such that can only be formulated through socially constructed forums. For instance, individuals can only identify with their national history through various forms of narrations where they would talk about themselves and where they come from. This point to a mechanism of communicating the national belonging. Though various forms of literatures seem to have given much attention to national characteristics, it is not the only possible way through which individuals can communicate their national identity (Brubaker 2002). There is a dire need for individuals to develop the sense of belonging. By belonging to a certain social group, individuals are able to develop some sense of identity. Identity in itself is socially constructed such that when an individual identifies himself with a certain identity; he possibly acquires and exhibits certain social characteristics. The development of a sense of belonging is very vital for the maturity of any individual. National identity seems to be shared by a large group of people such that in the event of any misfortune befalling one of whom an individual or a group of individuals shares the same national identity with, the pain is felt by the entire group. It emerges that individuals who happen to share a common national identity have a very deep understanding of their common interests and any possible common fate. National identities are defined by geographical boundaries, for example an individual from New York can identify with the USA as a country and with New York as a state. The concept of national identity is such that has been given a lot of concern with regard to the origin of intractable conflicts. The concept of nationalism that has been closely related to the emergence of national identity is an ideology that tends to affirm that individuals sharing a common history are justified to own their own territory. The social construction of national identity does not point to any vague justification. In a number of situations, the social construction of national identity focuses on a number of authentic aspects that are only common to a particular group of people. Such aspects can point to the use of a common language, similar customs and religious practices. The process through which the concept of national identity is socially constructed points to a dual process that leads in to the discovery of one self. The social construction of identity describes some level of flexibility in a manner that illustrates on how the implicated identity is structured. In the event that national identity is regarded as a social construction and not possibly as a form of primordial essence, the group of individuals whose self determination and identity has been constructed is bound to be affected by the implicated level of self definition. The reconstruction of national identity in any manner possibly fosters mutual respect and enhances the quest to pursue a deep relationship with an individual’s national identity. National identity is basically the psychological implication of national self determination. This then point to the possibility of establishing a state or nation that is very independent which may also define a nation’s political expression of its people. As opposed to self determination, the identification of a large group of individuals with a common national identity have such a great impact on a number of other groups that are bound to be in any way affected by such a definition of identity. To possibly associate with these other group of individuals, the national identity of individuals has to be reconstructed in a social sphere that would enable them to effectively negotiate and socialize with individuals of different national identities (Johnson, 2009). The argument on the concept of national identity being socially constructed can be illustrated with aspects from the theory of human needs. Almost every political state around the globe today provides its people with the need of both protection and satisfaction. The political system of any nation on its part fosters the sense of patriotism that cultivates the development of national identity among its people. The identity needs of both small and big groups of individuals in a state are all fostered by the existing political system through efforts geared at providing various social services to enable all individuals to develop that sense of belonging. However, in every type of political set up, the social construction of individuals determines the expected type of service delivery that they stand to get (Bruner 2005). It emerges that through such a social construction, not all the needs of all individuals can be met with the same level of service provision. The state and any political system within a nation works towards the preservation of its own national identity among its people. This is done through the adoption and the implementation of common elements of a history like national days in which people are encouraged to come together and socially associate with their fellow country men and women as they mark these events. Through such events, it becomes possible for the people of a particular nationality to identify with their own culture and national identity. There are a number of other aspects in which the national identity of a particular group of individuals may be illustrated for instance in the formulation and use of what is termed as the national language. Such a language in then used as a formal mode of communication in a particular nation in which not a single individual would possibly be undermined. The state in its efforts of fostering the national identity ensures that it does not appear to socially construct any single group of individuals over the other. Both states and nations around the globe are such that are socially constructed in a manner that enables them not to possibly overlook one ethnic group over the other. Political policy makers have thus socially constructed the existing national policies that impact on the identity of the nationals in an effort to eliminate any arrangement that may allow for the existence a majority’s ethnicity. National identity is socially constructed in a way that distinguishes ethnic identity from the identity of the citizens of a particular nation (Levine & Cote 2002). The social construction of national identity among individuals is best depicted through both a historical and social transformation process. A deep examination of identity will indicate that it is basically a function of both cultural and historical circumstances. It emerges that a large fraction of aspects related to any form of social reality are such that are socially constructed through various historical aspects. The manner in which these aspects are socially constructed tend to have a very strong impact on the overall nature of any form of human behavior. A number of sociologists have attempted to examine various theories that point to the emergence of identities among the human population from a historical perspective (Leary & Tangley 2003). National identity in itself is not a mere aspect pointing to the ways in which individuals are constructed. It is an aspect that tends to transient even among institutions. The role of the media in the construction of national identity for instance has been very widely felt in advocating and constructing various national identities. The existing educational systems in any region are such that would tend to foster the cultivation of what is considered to be a national culture. National identities are also fostered by the business word in which the emerging transactions and negotiations point to a form of both amalgamation and rationalization. The modernization of social aspects across the globe is an aspect that as seen various ethnic groups of people seeking to identify with their own territories. A large majority of the demands related to the pursuit of a national identity emerges from the implicated response to foreign policies. A good illustration of a situation where individuals are seeking to have some sovereignty over their own identity is depicted in Taiwan. It emerges that almost every individual in this country is now actively involved in the rejection of the aspect of being referred to as Chinese and preferring to be called Taiwanese instead (Hall 2003). This is further related to claims that the later identity is both very distinct and unique. The nature of the development of such an identity in itself is a social construction. The emergence of the demands to identify with the Taiwanese identity among its people is an aspect that has been influenced by the country’s unique process of modernization and the various aspects brought about by the modernization itself (Hall 2003). The social construction of the national identify at any given moment emanates from the implicated manner in which members of a given nation will tend to label or identify themselves. This then forms the basis on which various sociologists have tried to examine the concept of national identity with regard to any particular country. The development of identity is an aspect that has to a very large extent influenced the emergence of various social movements. Through fostering the identity of a group of individuals, various socially constructed movements around the globe have managed to politically empower groups of individuals that seem to be in one way or another oppressed (Bechhofer & McCrone, 2009). This has been possible through efforts that are geared at fostering the development of a sense of confidence and the move to expose the implicated social group to the entire external society. It however emerges that the development of a national identity may also be strongly tied to some form of demagogy which is highly feared for initiating the development of conflicts on both religious and ethnic grounds. Identity Negotiation The process through which various individuals will tend to identify themselves as they seek to effectively interact with others through their own national identity is referred to as identity negotiation. The main objective of this process of identity negotiation is geared at identifying certain sets of behaviors that would help in the development of an individual’s identity (Bray 2004). National identity in itself is an aspect that fosters the expression of an individual’s political involvement which is a very positive aspect. The social construction of national identity among a group of individuals fosters the development of human dignity and self esteem especially among various populations that have in one way or the other been suppressed by the existence of foreign policies. The development of a national identity is thus a very positive move that would possibly ensure that favorable changes are realized with regard to the coexistence of different groups of people. In the respect of both the negative and positive impact, national identity fosters the well being of human individuals and the satisfaction of a number of basic human needs. This then fosters the self determination of individuals which is central to the satisfaction of human needs. Self determination at the national level is strongly associated with the satisfaction of a number of human related needs. This is because it makes it possible for individuals and groups of individuals to possibly fulfill their cultural aspirations. This then makes it possible for people to live lives that basically reflect on their societal values (Herminia 2004). Conclusion Individuals and groups of individuals are affected in one way or the other with the way in which other individuals would identify themselves. When an individual identifies himself with his nationhood for instance, when individuals or groups of individuals claim some territorial boundaries to themselves, they tend to point out to the rest their limits with regard to who is excluded and included within their boundaries. This forms the basis of the resultant national identity. This makes national identity a legitimate aspect for the negotiation with other entities and groups whose social interaction stands to be affected by the implicated self definition. National identity is thus socially constructed in a manner that points to various authentic aspects that are only common to a certain population or group of individuals. References Bechhofer, F & McCrone, D 2009, National Identity, Nationalism and Constitutional Change, Macmillan Publishers, England. Bray, Z 2004, Living Boundaries: Frontiers and Identity in the Basque Country, Presses interuniversitaires européenes, Peter Lang, Brussels. Brubaker, R 2002, Ethnicity without Groups, Harvard University Press: Cambridge. Bruner, M 2005, Rhetorical Theory and the Critique of National Identity Construction, National Identities, vol.7, no.3,pp. 309-327. Hall, B, 2003, Modernization and the Social Construction of National Identity. The Case of Taiwanese Identity. Berkeley Journal of Sociology, vol.47, no.35, pp. 135-167. Herminia, B 2003, Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing your Career, Harvard Business Press, Cambridge.  Johnson N. (2009-05-25). "The Social Construction of Ethnicity and National Identity in Contemporary Senegal" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, Illinois. viewed on 11th March . Leary, R & Tangley 2003, Handbook of Self and Identity, Guilford Press, London. Levine, C & Cote J 2002, Identity Formation, Agency and Culture, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, New Jersey. Woodward, K 2004, Questioning Identity: Gender, Class, Ethnicity, Routledge, London. Read More