Identity Dynamics in Divided Societies
Summary
Identity dynamics in divided societies encompass the ways in which individuals and groups negotiate belonging, allegiance and difference across lines of ethnicity, religion, language or polity. Such divisions often arise from historical conflict, colonial legacies or contested borders, and they shape social cohesion, political mobilisation and intergroup relations. Research has shown that identity can be both a resource for reconciliation and a mechanism of exclusion, depending on the discursive frames adopted by elites and communities. Boundary-making strategies—whether expansionary, seeking to include previously marginalised voices, or contractionary, reinforcing strict distinctions—play a pivotal role in how groups perceive themselves and others. These processes are mediated by cultural practices, commemorative rituals and public events, which can either entrench separation or foster new forms of shared belonging. As global migration, peacebuilding and transitional justice initiatives gather momentum, understanding these dynamics has become crucial for policy makers, scholars and practitioners seeking durable solutions to entrenched conflicts.
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Identity Dynamics in Divided Societies publication trend
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Technical terms
Ethno-national identity: A sense of belonging that combines ethnic heritage with allegiance to a nation or polity.
Boundary-making: Discursive or practical strategies by which groups define who is included or excluded from a collective identity.
Commemoration: Ritualised acts or ceremonies that reinforce collective memory and identity narratives.
Pilgrimage: A journey to a sacred site which, in divided contexts, can mediate intergroup relations and contestation.
References
- Who are the people of Cyprus? The national identity building process in Cyprus from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Nationalities Papers (2024).
- Agency in waiting: innovation and repetition in a novel Turkish Cypriot nationalist commemoration. Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism (2024).
- Of pilgrimages and restorations: religion, heritage and politics in divided Cyprus. Politics and Religion (2024).
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