The Nexus of Identity, Nationalism and Conflict

Abstract

The type of conflict whether it is interstate or intrastate, is primarily based on series of reasons from which nationalism and identity politics are paramount, working as catalysts for wars and conflicts across the globe. When a sense of identity between “us” versus “them” emerges, it fuels tensions and conflict. By examining the complex interplay between individual and collective identities, we unravel the ways in which these concepts influence our actions, beliefs, and interactions. The work is aimed to identify and explore the relationship among identity, nationalism and conflict.

Through, both historical and contemporary case studies reveal, how the nationalism and identity politics are shaped and lead a group or a states towards violence and conflict. By prospecting the complex interplay between these factors, this article envisions to emphasize the need of understanding the dynamics of nationalism, identity, and conflict. The targeted audience of the study is diverse and broad, comprising the public, students of social sciences, professionals of relevant fields and others.

INTRODUCTION :

The Term identity politics was coined by a black feminist group in 1977 during the peak period of black civil rights movement also the second wave of feminism and gay lesbian liberation movements were at the zenith. Identity politics refers, people’s identity shape their beliefs and actions. Identity politics is all about how these identities influence and shape one’s perspective. Identity politics can be a powerful tool for marginalized groups to assure their rights and challenge systemic inequalities and injustice, on the other hand, it can also be a complex and miscellaneous concept when come into a reality situation. This concept recognizes that one’s identity is not monolithic, but rather exists with characteristics, including sexual orientation, race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, and religion and these identities are linked to systems of power, privilege, and oppression.

Where Identity politics irradiates the complex interplay between individual and collective identities, nationalism unites individuals under a shared sense of consciousness bound with feeling of pride and affection. Etymologically, the word has roots from the Latin word natio, was first employed in mid-1700 by a Prussian scholar, Johann Gottfried herder. We have some great historic examples of nationalism inform of Nazism, Fascism, and anti-Semitic racism. Identity politics and nationalism both forces directly or indirectly have shaped the course of history, proselytizing both unity and division, progress and oppression. Trump’s “America First”, Hindutwa as Hindu nationalist identity, Chinese nationalism with special context of its strategic policies e.g., string of pearls, BRI and counter unipolarity by economic hegemony and European nationalism are making both these concepts of identity and nationalism essential in course of international politics and relations.

However, when it comes to extreme nationalism, Benito Mussolini who was a great nationalist, remarkably said: “Everything for the state, nothing outside the State, nothing above the state”. Which is a great binding statement for a nation but identifies how much radical the idea of nationalism becomes when the fine line between national pride and harmful ideologies intersect.

Ethnic Nationalism and Ethnic Identity, as a cause of conflict:

The conflict mostly emerges in states whose nature is heterogeneous and multiethnic due to discrimination, oppression, and marginalization of any ethnic group. In post-colonial states who are multi-ethnic, multi religious, multilingual the ethnic Nationalism can easily flourish and cause conflict within or outside the State. Yugoslav wars, Rwanda genocide, Israel-Palestine conflict, Kashmir issue, Kurdish-Turkish conflict, and Sri Lankan civil war and other numerous ethnic conflicts and liberation movements based on ethic issues, sometime influenced by outer factors cause tensions and both inter and intra state conflicts.

Anti-colonial Nationalism, as a cause of conflict:

Post WWII era is counted as anti colonialism movement’s era in which many states got independence from colonial powers. The rise of anti-colonial nationalism caused conflicts and tensions before and after the independence of States. The rise of ethnic Nationalism and rise of differences on religious and lingual basis are also traced back from here. And the most critical conflict ongoing nowadays is by product of this anti-colonial nationalism. The revolutionary type of decolonization is an example of how anti-colonial nationalism causes conflicts with lasting impacts on states. Examples of states e.g., Cuba, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Kenya, and Vietnam are some states with a history of revolutionary decolonization.

Religious identity and nationalism, as a cause of conflict:

Within or outside the State the divide among people based on sect and religion is a proved compelling source of conflict. The historical legacy of religious conflicts, including the Hindu-Muslim conflict in India, Shia-Sunni divisions among Asian states, the Thirty Years’ War between Catholics and Protestants, and the ongoing Muslim-Jewish conflict, these conflicts identity the religious identity and the politics based on religion also sets an alarming situation of destructive potential of religious conflicts. The religious conflicts are not only a religious conflicts, as the fault lines of conflict identify the complex relationship of religious conflict with economic resources and opportunities.

Clash of civilization:

The book written by Samuel p. Huntington published in 1996 also identifies how the identity politics of civilizations could result in causing clashes. The idea Huntington focuses on is Great division among the mankind Shift in global political/world order, Globalization and counter globalization and 7 major worlds civilizations, theory highlights the role of cultural and religious identities in shaping global conflicts. This idea is closely tied to nationalism and identity politics, as it emphasizes the importance of preserving and promoting one’s own civilization, culture, and values.

Europe’s new nationalism:

Nationalism in Europe which led Europe and the world through two great world wars WWI and WWII, colonialism and imperialism is originated from the birth of nation states. The book was edited by Richard Caplan and John feffer based on the idea of states and minorities in conflict. Comprised on content such as nationalism and sexism. Reconciling the complex interplay between nation-states, competing identities and minorities. The book provides an insightful and thoughtful investigation of the tangled relation between European integration and the concepts of nationalism and identity politics also identifies the upcoming challenges and opportunities that will arise from these conflicts.

Conflict, nationalism, and identity are interconnected and tangled in complex ways, with each factor influencing and shaping the others. Understanding these dynamics is crucial and only way to resolve this kind of destructing conflicts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the nationalism and identity politics have extensive implications for understanding of conflicts and their resolution. After looking on ethnic, anti-colonial, and religious nationalism, we have seen how these forces can both unite and divide and promote peace and violence among people, groups, and states. By understanding the cobweb of power politics, historic grievances, contemporary situations, socio-cultural narratives and ideologies we unravel the cause and effect of conflict, value of diversity and importance of dialogue, where the nations coexist in harmony, peace, and cooperation.