week 19 - identity politics and representation Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is identity politics?
Identity politics refers to political positions and mobilization based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with which people identify, such as ethnicity, race, religion, or gender.
Why does identity matter in politics?
Identity shapes political preferences, voting behavior, and group mobilization, often influencing who gets represented and how resources are distributed.
What is ethnic identity?
Ethnic identity is a form of social identity based on shared ancestry, culture, language, or religion.
It is often seen as both constructed and persistent (Chandra 2006).
What makes an identity politically salient?
An identity becomes politically salient when it is activated in political competition, often due to group size, competition for resources, or institutional incentives (Posner 2004).
What is the difference between economic and cultural forms of ethnic diversity?
Economic diversity refers to differences in wealth or occupation between groups, while cultural diversity refers to differences in language, religion, or customs (Baldwin & Huber 2010).
How did colonialism shape ethnic identities?
Colonial powers often created or reinforced dominant ethnic groups (divide and conquer) as a way to co-opt local populations and control administrative mechanisms
(Bates 1983).
How is ethnicity instrumentalized in post-colonial states?
Ethnic identities remain useful for distributing government goods via in-group favoritism.
Political elites emphasize identities that help them build winning coalitions (Chandra 2006; Posner 2004, 2017)
How does ethnic diversity affect public goods provision (‘public goods dilemma’)?
Ethnic diversity can reduce public goods provision, especially when economic differences between groups are large, leading to less trust and cooperation.
(Baldwin & Huber 2010)
What is the main argument of Posner (2004) on Chewas and Tumbukas?
Posner shows that the political salience of ethnic identities depends on group size relative to the political arena: Chewas and Tumbukas are rivals in Malawi (where each is large enough to be politically relevant) but allies in Zambia (where both are minorities).
What is constructivism in the study of identity?
Constructivism argues that identities are not fixed but are shaped by social, political, and institutional contexts (Chandra 2006).
What is instrumentalism in identity politics?
Instrumentalism sees identity as a tool used by elites or individuals to achieve political or economic goals.
What is primordialism in identity politics?
Primordialism views identities as deep-seated, inherited, and unchanging.
How do institutions shape identity salience?
Institutions (like electoral systems) can incentivize politicians to mobilize certain identities over others, making some identities more politically relevant (Posner 2004)
What is the main finding of Ichino & Nathan (2013) on Ghana?
Local ethnic geography shapes voting: where ethnic groups are intermixed, cross-ethnic voting is more likely; where groups are segregated, ethnic voting is stronger.
What is the “ethnic headcount” logic?
The idea that the political relevance of an identity depends on whether it is large enough to be useful for political mobilization (Posner 2004).
Key sources for identity politics (with relevance):
Chandra (2006): Defines and theorizes ethnic identity, constructivism, and salience.
Posner (2004): Empirical case on how context shapes ethnic salience (Chewas/Tumbukas).
Baldwin & Huber (2010): Explores how economic and cultural diversity affect public goods.
Ichino & Nathan (2013): Shows how local ethnic geography shapes voting in Ghana.
Bobo & Gilliam (1990); Gay (2001): Effects of descriptive representation on participation
What is the difference between identity-based and programmatic politics?
Identity-based politics mobilizes support along group lines, while programmatic politics focuses on policy issues and platforms.
How does cross-cutting cleavages affect identity politics?
When social divisions (like ethnicity and class) cross-cut rather than overlap, it can reduce the intensity of identity-based conflict.
What is the “constructivist turn” in the study of ethnicity?
A shift in scholarship emphasizing that ethnic identities are fluid, context-dependent, and shaped by political incentives (Chandra 2006).
How do politicians use identity strategically?
Politicians may emphasize or downplay certain identities to build winning coalitions or divide opponents (Posner 2004).
What is the impact of descriptive ethnic representation on policy outcomes?
Ethnic representation can lead to more equitable policy outcomes for minority groups, but may also reinforce group divisions.
What are the main critiques of identity politics?
Critiques include that it can fragment societies, undermine universalistic policies, and be manipulated by elites for personal gain.
What is the “stickiness” of ethnic identity?
Ethnic identities are relatively difficult to change and are often visible, making them useful for political mobilization (Chandra 2006).
What is the “in-group policing” argument?
It is easier to enforce cooperation and prevent free-riding within groups than between groups (Habyarimana et al. 2007).
