A Politics of Recognition: A Reflection on the Sami Minority in Norway and Rohingya Minority in Myanmar

Abstract

The politics of identity is central to the current socio-political discourses. People, who have been left behind and oppressed historically by the majority culture, are struggling for their rights and recognition. Non-recognition or misrecognition is the denial of ‘existence’ in a sociological sense. The idea of identity emerged from the concept of authentic self; however, the collective sense of being has driven the wheel of politics of identity giving rise to multiculturalism. This article draws upon the theoretical insight of ‘politics of recognition’ developed by Charles Taylor and ‘intercultural dialogue’ propounded by Bhikhu Parekh in order to analyze how Sami and Rohingya communities engage in their endeavor for recognition and self-determination. The article argues that a collective sense of identity and intercultural dialogue are the remedies for historically oppressed group identity.