Identity Politics Research Articles

‘Congolité’: Dividing Lines in the Political Life of the Contemporary DRC

The article is devoted to the study of political identity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The author pays particular attention to the modern interpretation of the concept of ‘Congolité’ – Congolese identity, which is in many ways identical to the idea of national citizenship. The concept of ‘Congolité’ itself is considered in the article as a set of legal norms, as an instrument of electoral struggle and as a symbolic construct. The concept has acquired a new meaning in the context of the 2021 draft law, and its return to domestic politics is significant for understanding the mood of Congolese society. The author also tries to identify the main lines of the identity debate and concludes that one of its constants is the problem of the political-legal status of the Rwandafon minority (Banyarwanda / Banyamulenge), and another is regional-linguistic fragmentation, which is reinforced by economic-demographic specificity. Both of these factors have a significant impact on internal voting patterns. The discourse of autochthonous ‘purity’ is seen as exacerbating this fragmentation and as generating conflict in Congo’s relations with states in the region, particularly Rwanda.

Changing Political Identities of the Iranian Kurdish Left in Europe

Abstract This article examines the tendency towards political individualism and its impact among first-generation political immigrants with a leftist political background from Iran/Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhelat) living in Western Europe, from the perspective of individuals’ political identity in terms of relations with political organizations and their ideological stance. Following a qualitative approach, data was collected through semi-structured in-depth and focus group interviews with members and ex-members of political parties. The findings show that, as a result of leaving Iran’s political climate as well as Kurdish political organizations, and with the influence of a new political culture, many interviewees have adopted individualized politics based on their own opinions and self-interest. The immigrants have found a multi-dimensional political view that simultaneously pays attention to the ethno-national, class, and gender issues of Kurdish society.

Differences In Tolerance of Students and General Society Based on Religious Identity Politics: A Literature Study

Differences In Tolerance of Students and General Society Based on Religious Identity Politics: A Literature Study

Unrevealed diaspora force? Diaspora education as a source of diaspora identity politics in Lithuania

ABSTRACT Education is a staple in the nation-building process. Therefore, diaspora education is among the main diaspora policy directions in many European states. However, it has been greatly overlooked in diaspora policy studies, as the diaspora policies and institutions are mostly examined from the perspective of the political and economic inclusion of the diaspora. This paper aims to discuss the role of education in diaspora policy studies and diaspora identity politics in Lithuania. This study investigates how the state of origin practices its education policy as a part of identity politics and the diaspora engagement and governance process. The analysis is fostered by the case study of the diaspora education politics in the Republic of Lithuania as an example of an emigration state. The study presents three main groups of mechanisms of using diaspora education for national identity politics, namely, (1) formal, nonformal and informal education; (2) education as a tool of the returning migration and (3) transnational ties with “young ambassadors.”

Micro language planning as a contested space: evidence from a South African university

ABSTRACT Micro language planning is often framed as democratic, transformative, inclusive, and therefore, less contested as it reproduces community consensus and support. This is contrasted with macro or top-down language planning which is power inflected and weaponised to serve interests of the dominant class. Through a theorisation of institutional language policies as products of micro language planning, this article analyses the language policy of one university in South Africa and reveals that, contrary to this widely held view, bottom-up language planning is also a site of struggle and contestation. In particular, we focus on specific language policy provisions that reveal the university’s underlying disposition towards multilingualism and linguistic identities. The analysis reveals multi-layered contestations on multilingualism and identity inherent in the university’s language policy. While the language policy purports to foster transformation by promoting multilingualism through the university’s ‘languages of choice,’ it is not exempt from the vagaries of essentialist identity politics and macro level language ideologies which legitimise English and Afrikaans. By identifying only four languages for promotion, the language policy envisages a kind of ‘exclusionary multilingualism’ that disregards the cosmopolitan character of the university and the identities marked by indigenous African languages left invisibilised by the language policy.

Music and political identity salience in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election

ABSTRACT This article addresses the nexus between musical taste and political identity salience, and how (if at all) that informs citizens’ own perception and performance of national (cultural) identity in Nigeria. It specifically interrogates the extent to which Nigerians signalled political affiliations and identities in the sonic and textual references of selected 2023 presidential election campaign songs. Following a synthesis of the discourse on political and cultural identity, Nigerian musical arts and culture, and with specific analytical reference to three preselected election campaign songs, we demonstrate that, beyond party ideology, campaign promises, money, and literacy level, Nigeria’s voting public activate and perform political identity salience when messages and objects of cultural and socio-political value align and are communicated in song.

Visualising the post-2000s Inland Tibet Class generation: female authorship and renegotiation of ethnicity

ABSTRACT This study investigates the first films made by a female director, Kangdrun (T: Gangs sgron, གངས་ྒྲསྒྲོན་, Gangzhen, 岗珍, b. 1995) belonging to the Post-2000s Inland Tibet Class (ITC) generation. Following the experience of the Sinophone-Tibetan filmmaker Kangdrun in a Chinese language education environment, her films, and Tibetan cultural communities, this study discusses Kangdrun’s visual strategies for telling stories from the perspectives of children and youth through a feminine camera eye. The Chinese language education and Tibetan cultural community relations have reshaped the ethnic awareness of the post-2000s ITC generation regarding what can be called ‘a safe Chinese Tibetan citizenship’. This study contributes to a new understanding of modern Tibetan authors’ generational relationships, the expressive styles of the female Sinophone-Tibetan filmmaker, and how affective visuality mediates the cultural, political, and gender identity formation of female artists of the post-2000s ITC generation.

Analyzing “Jayu” in South Korean presidential rhetoric: a comprehensive study from 1948–2023 with a focus on the Yoon Suk Yeol administration

The current study examines the strategic use of “Jayu” (freedom or liberty) in South Korean politics, with a focus on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration, where it symbolizes conservative ideologies and political identity. Employing Natural Language Processing, time-series analysis, and visualization techniques, the research analyzes presidential speeches to explore Yoon’s marked emphasis on Jayu, indicative of a strong conservative allegiance. The findings reveal a significant association between the utilization of Jayu and conservative strategies, underscoring its crucial role in Yoon’s political strategy and its function in garnering support from conservative factions within a polarized political context. Yoon’s discourse, characterized by an extensive use of Jayu, fosters polarization and partisanship, moving away from inclusive dialog. This study illuminates the role of symbolic language in political communication and identity formation, providing insights into the interplay between rhetoric and ideological positions in the intricate political landscape of South Korea.

Elite Cueing, Gender, and the Partisan Gap in Environmental Support

ABSTRACT This study extends research on how political and social contexts mediate the relationship between men’s and women’s political identities and their support for the environment. Our test consists of a 3 × 2 factorial survey experiment that interacts an individual’s partisan identity with three conditions modeling elite support for federal spending to protect the environment. Democrats demonstrate consistently high rates of support regardless of legislative sponsorship. Among Republicans, when Democratic legislators sponsor environmental legislation, support drops about 18% compared to conditions where a bipartisan group sponsors legislation. Support among Republican women, however, remains relatively stable across experimental conditions. Republican variations in support are almost entirely attributable to declines in support among Republican men, whose support drops an average of 24% when Democratic legislators sponsor legislation. In conclusion, intraparty gender differences in opinions and support should be considered more broadly, especially when examining polarized public issues.

Party identity and social-distancing behaviours in Brazil

ABSTRACT Does political affiliation of local politicians determine citizens’ compliance to social distancing behaviours? I provide causal estimates of the effect of political identity of municipal mayors on regional differences in engaging in COVID preventive behaviours in the context of Brazil. I employ a sharp regression discontinuity design based on close mayoral elections in 2016 to examine the effects of having a mayor from one of three political parties that President Jair Bolsonaro is closely associated with, by combining Facebook mobility data that tracks regional movement relative to February 2020 levels with electoral data from the 2016 mayoral municipal elections. The methodology compares municipalities that are similar along a wide array of predetermined and observable correlates of the spread of coronavirus, and where the incumbent mayor was selected as-if randomly. I find that residents of Bolsonaro-affiliated municipalities exhibit 60% smaller relative declines in regional movement and are 13% more likely to cross regional boundaries over the months of March, April, and May in 2020. The findings hold for each of the three political parties, for each of the three months since the onset of the pandemic, and after controlling for anti-lockdown measures of 15 March 2020 in Brazil.

Ideologi dalam Pesan Natal 2023: Pendekatan Analisis Wacana Kritis dalam Perspektif Fairclough

A different wave of uniqueness characterizes Christmas celebrations after the Covid-19 era compared to pre-pandemic celebrations. Every year, Christmas is accompanied by a consistent message theme. The Christmas message of 2023 from the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) and the Indonesian Church Guardian Conference (KWI) is closely related to the challenges faced by the nation, becoming the basis for the people in honoring God. This research explores the socio-cultural nuances contained in these Christmas messages. With a descriptive qualitative approach, this research uses Fairclough's critical discourse analysis framework and a theological perspective. Data obtained from internet downloads was reduced to identify key analysis elements. The analysis was conducted through three stages of Fairclough's model: text analysis, including description, interpretation, and explanation; discursive practices; and socio-cultural contextualized experience. Findings indicate the presence of eleven keywords in the Easter message, featuring linguistic diversity, including repetition, imperative language, persuasion, and causation. In addition, the socio-cultural insights highlighted caution towards election preparation, identity politics, environmental preservation, the impact of globalization, vigilance in using social media, and technological advancement. These Christmas messages are hoped to appropriately shape people's attitudes to create inner peace and prosperity in honoring God.

Navigating the Complexities of Identity: is there an Accelerated Israelization of Religion?

This research aims to explore the dynamics of Israeli politics, particularly regarding the interplay between religion, democracy, and identity. By delving into this complex landscape, the research unravels the multifaceted nature of Israeli politics, shedding light on the various factors that shape its political landscape. This includes examining the influence of religion, the functioning of democratic institutions, and the diverse identities within society. A key focus is to analyze the role of religion in politics, including its impact on governance, policy-making, and societal norms. This involves studying the influence of religious parties, the relationship between religious and secular segments of society, and the implications for minority rights and freedoms. The research aims to assess the functioning of democracy in the counter-relations between religion and society, evaluating the extent to which democratic principles are upheld and the challenges faced in maintaining democratic governance amidst religious diversity and societal divisions. This objective is demonstrated by exploring the complexities of identity within Israeli society, including Jewish identity and the intersections between religious, cultural, and national identities. This involves examining how identity politics shapes political discourse, electoral behavior, and policy priorities. By analyzing the complexities of Israeli politics, the research seeks to identify key challenges facing the nation - tensions between religious and secular forces and uncover opportunities for fostering greater social cohesion, promoting democratic values, and addressing issues of religious pluralism. The main question investigated here is if we can trace an accelerated Israelization of Haredim due to local and global political changes and the fight for existence against terrorism that have changed the social and cultural nature of Israel in the last year?

Authoritarian welfare and resilience: politics of child benefits in Russia

ABSTRACT Recent literature on authoritarian stability and legitimation has highlighted the role of propaganda and information control, national identity politics, participation technologies and other communication strategies autocrats use to shape public opinion. The authoritarian tool kit is, incomplete if we do not account for governance-related measures. Focusing on authoritarian social policy and contributing to the literature on the authoritarian welfare state, this study measures the political effects of unconditional and conditional cash transfers, specifically focusing on child subsidies, that the Russian government has increasingly integrated into its policy tools. Social policy and child support earn the government political dividends in terms of shoring up public support and have acquired added significance over the last few years. It is part of the current social pact that enables authoritarian resilience during Russia’s war against Ukraine and that is made possible by the actions at the federal, regional, and municipal levels of government.

“Dismantling White Supremacy” in the United States: Identity and Racial Politics in Chinelo Okparanta’s Harry Sylvester Bird

“Dismantling White Supremacy” in the United States: Identity and Racial Politics in Chinelo Okparanta’s Harry Sylvester Bird A conversation with Chinelo Okparanta (16 April 2023) [1] I would like to express my gratitude to Chinelo Okparanta for her time, kindness, and the valuable contribution she is making to the global reception of Nigerian literature.

CEO's prison experience and corporate risk-taking

This paper studies the impact of a CEO's prison experience on corporate risk-taking. Using a sample of Chinese private sector manufacturing firms listed on the A-shares in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2000 to 2021, the results show that firms led by CEOs with prison experience have higher levels of risk-taking. Further analysis suggests that the marketization process moderates the positive effect of the CEO's prison experience on corporate risk-taking. Similarly, the effect is less pronounced according to the CEO's education level and political identity. This paper also finds that the effect of the CEO's prison experience on corporate risk-taking is amplified during the period of COVID-19.

Reflection of Immigrants’ Identity Crises in Kamila Shamsie Home Fire vs. Mohsin Hamid Exit West: A Gender-Based Thematic Exploration

Kamila Shamsie's "Home Fire" and Mohsin Hamid's "Exit West" both discover the displacement and acknowledgement in a world that is becoming a global village. "Home Fire" throws light on the crucial integration of a loyal family member as a Muslim in a post-9/11 Western society scenario. It finds out the social and political identities that can cause conflicts. Migrants from the Western world, in contrast to "Exit West", have suffered emotional and physical suffering in the journey of refugees. It shares the love and barriers through the borders of countries. Both have different approaches to narration, and both the novels share belonging and feelings of human burdens they face during migration to the Western world. This research aims to identify and analyze themes of Kamila Shamsie's "Home Fire" and Mohsin Hamid's "Exit West". Along with this, it sheds light on the writing styles used to construct the plots of the works that share a lot of similar elements. This is qualitative research, and for analyzing themes, this study takes the help of 'Critical Theory', which was propounded in the early 20th century by the Frankfurt School. The primary source for this research is the text of the novels, through which the researchers identified major themes, and the secondary source to support the arguments is already published works by different scholars to analyze and deepen understanding of the issue/s. This research concludes that migration, identity, and political conflict are the major themes in both novels, and these themes serve a significant role in constructing the plots/stories of the novels. As an implication, this study would help readers understand the texts from several new perspectives.

Memorial agency, heritage dissonance, and the politics of memory in the preservation of Rio de Janeiro’s Valongo slave wharf

The article aims to understand the tensions inherent to the commemoration of a difficult and conflicted past and the conservation of dissonant heritage. It explores the politics of memory and identity, and the power struggles that underscore the heritagisation process through a study of the transformation of Rio de Janeiro’s port in preparation to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. The paper uses the notion of heritage dissonance to shed light upon contemporary struggles over the interpretation of the port’s contested history and explores the debates that have surrounded the 'discovery' of archeological remains, which exposed a controversial past marked by collective amnesia. The paper identifies various actions, instruments, and strategies used by various actors to either support or undermine the project, from inertia and obstructionism to memorialisation and ritual agency. The analysis of these findings reveals the transformative potential of heritage, as an instrument of empowerment in the ideological battle over collective memory, and a tool of resistance against historical denial. It discusses the way debates over heritage have stimulated public debate, inflected the official historical narrative, and allowed the legacies of slavery to infiltrate collective consciousness. The paper concludes with a discussion of how heritage dissonance can engender actions leading to conflict mediation, thereby promoting reconciliation and dialogue, and, ultimately, societal change.

That is What Most of Us Fail to Remember: Politics as a Neutralizing Game World Designed by Elites

Concepts such as political framing and elite capture have never been thought of as part of the humanitarian foundation of politics. This is, however, not true of identity politics. Christened in 1977 by the Combahee River Collective, identity politics was originally meant to enable a group, composed mainly of black feminist women, to build their own political agenda. Striving to see the full complexity of their values and priorities leveled with those of other political movements, identity politics was looking to reveal limitations from inside groups and widen the scale and scope of problems tackled. Unity was meant to guide society towards a better world. Nevertheless, presently, identity politics often represents a normalized separation between societies whose identities are defined by past history. No longer meant to strengthen the voices of the unheard, it has become a political tool for those exercising significant impact on the political discourse of the present. Similarly, the integrities of both values and religion have, over time, subsided to power as well. With the basic foundations of the world's politics hijacked, a race against time has begun as society's justifications for climbing over people and exploiting the planet's limited resources have driven it to the verge of a disbalance so grave it might prove impossible to reverse. Thereupon, this text aims to analyze the scope of this twisted use of politics, explore activism as a countereffect, and examine the development of society under what can be defined as a never-ending match between "dark" and "light."

Interreligious Dialogue: the Actual Meaning, Typology and Features of the Post-Soviet Space

The article presents the authors’ thoughts on the reasons for the growing role of the religious factor in modern international relations, and the risks associated with the politicization of religions. It is concluded that religious diversity and at the same time the commonality of basic values directly correlate with the emerging multipolarity of the modern world. It is noted that against the backdrop of the crisis of the Western liberal order and neoliberal ideology, religion and its institutions have become symbols of new fundamentalism, that is, an ideology that calls for a return to the foundations of faith and one’s worldview and culture. The growing role of religion as an institution of civil society and the need to make this institution stronger, to integrate it into civil society and into the system of patriotic education are noted. A classification of types of interreligious dialogue (polemical, cognitive, peacemaking, partnership) and levels of interreligious dialogue (high, medium, low) is presented. The specifics of interreligious dialogue in the post-Soviet space and the features of post-Soviet religious and political identity, the new attitude of political authorities to the institutions of faith are determined: the desire to integrate them into the social structure of society and into social policy. A brief description of interreligious dialogue in the USSR and in the post-Soviet period is given. The prospects for the development of ethno-confessional relations in the post-Soviet space are considered. Recommendations are given for the development of interreligious dialogue at the present stage.

The good intentions of federalism

The article is devoted to substantiating the controversial thesis that federalism is not an autonomous type of political structure. Federations are interpreted as a set of specific failures of different origins in the course of following the basic modern scenario of the formation of a unitary nation-state with a consolidated (civil) political identity. The article has for theoretical basis the actor approach, which interprets the political form of the federation as a derivative result of a conflict pact between the central and peripheral elites. In this methodological perspective, the history of the concept of federalism is examined and a comparative historical analysis of the world federal experience is carried out. As a result, a number of interrelated author's conclusions were formulated. First, it is shown that the original Kantian project of a world federation of states has little in common with federalism, which refers to the description of the internal structure of individual societies. Secondly, the conclusion is substantiated by the fact that in the modern theory of federalism a harmful mainstream tradition has developed, which scales as a normative successful experience the centralizing federalism in the United States. Thirdly, the cultural and historical features of the formation of two families of federations are highlighted and analyzed, one of which is associated with the acquisition of independence by offshoots of the West, and the other was formed by the later processes of the collapse of the colonial empires of the West and the liberation of colonies in Africa and Eurasia. Fourthly, it is argued that the federal political structure at the theoretical level was intended to reconcile, at the basis of the political project of Modernity, the liberal utopia of a universal and culturally homogeneous civil nation and the actual cultural diversity of any modern states, which is a permanent source of erosion of its political sovereignty and differentiation of collective identities. Fifthly, it is proved that all derived political, legal, economic and other signs of federalism are due to one initial problem - the legitimation and subsequent institutionalization of the conflict between the central elite and regional elites, challenging the indivisibility of political sovereignty and demanding political autonomy. Sixth, federalism as a changeable pact of elites in specific historical societies does not provide convincing grounds for its qualification as an autonomous political form compared to a unitary nation-state. The final conclusion is that the political format of federalism in most states is a long-term way of formalizing the political divorce of cultural communities that could not create a common political nation.