National identities Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is national identity?
The feeling of being part of a larger community, in the form of a nation, which gives a sense of purpose and meaning to people’s lives, as well as a sense of belonging
How can national identity be expressed?
- Supporting your nation (e.g. sporting events)
- Pride (anthem, language, flag)
What did Anderson say about national identities?
Still significant, not changing
‘Nation’ is an imagined community (members never meet, but still make up a community). National identity is socially constructed through symbols (flag, anthem) and rituals (national holidays), influenced by the media
How is national identity socially constructed?
- Symbols/rituals
- National language
- Conflicts
- War
- International sporting events
- Royal family
What did Kumar say about national identities?
No longer significant, changing
Unlike the Welsh, Scottish, N Irish, the English find it more difficult to define their identity. English national identity is elusive. Quest to expand Britishness may have diluted ‘Englishness’
How can Jenkin’s theory about identity apply to national identities?
Many British people don’t see their national identity as important, but outsiders may see this as an important part of their identity
What did Guibernau and Goldblatt say about national identities?
British identity is a fairly recent invention, that is based on themes, including: geography, war, monarchy
What did Skey say about national identities?
Still significant, not changing
British identity is sometimes expressed by the sentiment that ‘others’ are threatening Britishness. Encourages extremist groups to become ‘more British’ in response (EDL)
What did Curtice and Heath say about national identities?
No longer significant, changing
Conducted a survey of 3,000 English, Scottish, Welsh groups- Scottish and Welsh groups had a much stronger national identities than English groups. Little Englanders
What are ‘Little Englanders’?
Rise in number of people who claimed to be English, rather than British
What did Sardar say about national identities?
Changing, no longer significant
Identity crisis- Britain has lost its empire.
‘Englishness’ was based on historical traditions, that are meaningless to the vast majority today. Struggle to find English identity- to develop a more confident identity, we must embrace diversity on common humanity- identity crisis
What did Howe (Channel 4- White Tribe) say about national identities?
Not changing, still significant
Grew up in Caribbean, as part of the British empire, sees himself as black and British. But growth of English nationalism seems more exclusive and white
What is the role of the EDL in national identity?
Still significant, not changing
- New English identity is negative and exclusive, with the growth in popularity of groups, such as the English Defence League (EDL)
What are the 3 responses to globalisation according to Hall?
Changing/not changing
- Cultural homogenisation (countries becoming more similar)
- Cultural hybridity (cultures merging, develop new but indvidual culture)
- Cultural resistance (protect cultural heritage, become more traditional/nationalistic)
What did Halsey say about national identities?
No longer significant, changing
‘Our lives are becoming hopelessly Americanised’- due to cultural homogenisation. Life in Britain can no longer be uniquely British. It is increasingly difficult to pinpoint Britishness
What did Condor say about national identities?
No longer significant, changing
British identity is declining. Whilst Welsh and Scots have developed a strong sense of national identity, the English are experiencing an identity crisis. Many unwilling to adopt the symbols of English identity
What did Kennedy and Danks say about national identities?
No longer significant, changing
NI are declining. Being undermined by globalisation. Developments in technology mean people are exposed to and can access information and consumer products from all over the world
What did Sindic say about national identities?
Still significant, not changing
Globalisation has lead to an increase in choice of global products- little sign these transcend national identity. Greater choice of food from multitude of countries, but they are identified by origin. People choose to use internet to strengthen national identity, and to reinforce country based differences
How can national identities be undermined by economic globalisation?
British companies and products are taken over by foreign companies- British companies having to close down. Concerns about US culture taking over British high street companies
How are national identities eroding as a result of cultural globalisation?
British people spend leisure time watching TV/music produced for the global market. Use of global commodities (Nike, Apple, Coke) is widespread. Global networking sites widespread. Little difference in leisure activities of youth in UK vs in USA, Brazil, India, Japan
What are some reasons agreeing with the statement- ‘National identity is declining’?
- Cultural homogenisation
- Cultural hybridity
- Americanisation
- Globalisation
- Immigration/migration
- NI as a social construct
What are some reasons agreeing with the statement- ‘National identity is being strengthened’?
- Cultural resistance
- Globalisation
- Extremist groups (migration)
- Conflict/oppression
- Devolution
What evidence is there to support cultural homogenisation as a reason for declining NI?
- Halsey: our lives are becoming hopelessly Americanised
- Hall: responses to globalisation
What evidence is there to support cultural hybridity as a reason for declining NI?
- Hall: responses to globalisation
