International Politics

Seminar Week 7

How can we conceptualize identity? (Wibben & Rutazibwa)

- Normative approach: position assumed to be outside the world that is being
analyzed, it describes how things are ought to be and then observes whether
individuals comply with that norm
- Positive approach: describes how things are, focus on what we can observe in
relation to a particular marker of identity  very stereotypical
o How is identity socially constructed?
- Who is ‘we’?
- It is up to us to choose (within limits), we are identified by those around us
according to the markers of each identity category
- Multiple identities: conflict?
What are the benefits and pitfalls of identity politics? (Barabantseva)
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- How is identity political?
- How does identity politics operate?