constructivism and identity Flashcards
what does constructivism do
examines the role of how realities are constructed and reproduced through the transmission of ideas.
what is primordialism
is the concept that there existed in the beginning pure and distinct races of people with a fixed and original geographic homeland. Primordialism has a powerful social and political impact: people act on it as if it were true, and use it as an organizational rallying point.
who used primordialism
hitler
what is an example of primordialism
The concept of race is based on salient physical characteristics, such as skin color
what is an example of bad theory origins of social identities
primordialism
what does socio-economic processes means
Creation of identity based on economic of region.
what is discourse
the symbols of language and culture, which have their own logic, defines identity.
what are the three stages of discourse
(a) . The venacular: Traditions linked to dynastic histories or as moral guides become examples of national virtues.
(b) . Politicized venacular: This is when venacular symbols are used to mobilize a population against an external threat.
(c) . Ethnic purification: Efforts are made to ground all aspects of a community’s existence around the principles, and the exclusion of individuals, groups and ideas that are not compatible.
what can we argue with the state and identity
The state as the agent of identity: states assimilate old identities into a new composite identity.
what is idea entrepreneur
Idea Entrepreneurs: Individuals may create identities as a tactic to mobilize populations.
why does the process of domestic insecurity matter
security dilemma; when states fall and people live in anarchy, Citizens immediately begin congregating into defensible groups
groups rely on what sometimes
history
what can we argue about history
The important thing here is that the history does not matter – rather its interpretation and reconstruction matters more
what are the Two considerations that increase the incentive to act offensively
(1) . In most ethnic conflicts there exist isolated enclaves that will succumb through starvation if they are not liberates – so there is a strong offensive incentive to act.
(2) . Land matters, because land means populations that constitute recruiting grounds. This is the second offensive incentive to act.
what are Kaufmann’s 5 conclusion to ethnic conflict
(1) . One groups overpowers others (19):
(2) . Partition, but many of these conflicts simply become interstate conflicts: (16):
(3) . Suppressed by third-party occupation (2):
(4) . Regional Autonomy (8):
(5) . Power-Sharing Agreement
what is the clash of civilization
Samuel Huntington’s prediction that that there are eight civilizations on earth and that most wars will occur along the boundaries between these different civilizations rather than within civilizations
how does Samuel Huntington define civilization
as the broadest cultural entity with which people intensely identify.
what are the 8 basic civilization
the Western, Confucian, Japanese, Hindu, Islamic, Slavic-Orthodox, Latin American and African.
what are the 6 reasons why civilization will clash
(1) . Civilizations differ fundamentally on the basis of religion, social organization, and justice, and so this incompatibility leads to conflict on the frontiers between different civilizations:
(2) . Inter-civilization interactions are increasing with technology and civilizational-awareness is increasing with education.
(3) . Economic modernization is weakening the state and leaving in its place the identity of the civilization, often a fundamentalist variant of the dominant religion.
(4) . Non-Western civilizations are returning to their cultural roots in order to compete with a powerful Western civilization.
(5) . Civilizational identity is not mutable. During the Cold War, the question was “whose side are you on?” In the coming civilizational conflict, the question is “what are you?” This intensifies differences and increases the likelihood of conflicts.
(6) . Trade is increasing intra-regionally (within a region), rendering civilizations more autonomous and self-reliant. Less interdependence.
what are example of predictions clash of civilization
(a). Balkans: Islamic, Slavic, Western.
(b). Caucasus: Chechnya, Armenia, Georgia: Slavic v. Islamic
(c ). Southeast Asia: Islam v. Hindu and Confucian (Philippines + Indonesia).
(d): Kashmir: Islamic v. Hindu
what is an alternative theory of clash of civilization
states align themselves according to the logic of the balance of power,
