National identities

National Identities

• A national identity is socially constructed.
• The identitiy of a whole country.
• A individual also has a national identity.
• National identitiy is often expressed through supporting your national team in sport, pride in the anthem and flag, language.
• Anderson (1983) argues that a 'nation' is an Imagined community.

Studies

• Kumar (2003) - Discussed the fact that unlike the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish, the English find it difficult to say who they are, the English National identity is elusive.
• Hall (1991)
• Argued that countries may display 3 different reactions to globalisation :
• They may accept a global culture,
• they may take in some parts of global culture
• they may resist global culture.

Hall (1991) Responses to globalisation

• Cultural Homogenisation - Accepting Global culture, all countries would become similar. E.g. Dominating culture.
• Cultural Hybridity - Taking in some parts of global culture along side their more traditional culture, and develop a new individual culture. E.g. UK culture (British and Asian - 'Brasian')
• Cultural Resistance - Resisting global culture and fiercely protecting their cultural heritage, becoming more traditional and nationalistic. E.g. Racism, Terrorist groups.