Nationality and Identity

• Guibernau and Goldblatt (2000): (British) National identity consists of...


  - Monarchy

  - Religion

  - Empire

  - War

  - Geography
• Schudson (1994): Socialisation into national identities


  - Education: we are taught British history and literature, as well as respect for values

  - Media: promotion of sporting events e.g. World Cup and Euros, competitions such as Eurovision which unite the country

  - Family/national rituals: teaching of the English language; eating British food; participating in Royal/state occasions
• Waters (1995): reasons for the decline in British identity - Celtic identities


  Increased devolution from Westminster such as Welsh Assembly and Scottish parliament (e.g. 69% Scottish identify as Scottish, not British)
• Waters (1995): reasons for the decline in British identity - English identity


  Some are concerned with the increase of those identifying as English and openly admitting to being racially prejudiced
• Waters (1995): reasons for the decline in British identity - Multiculturalism


  Different generations + BMEs have different attachments to being British. Modood found Asians and Afro-Caribbeans did not feel comfortable with a British identity as they felt prejudiced against by the white majority.
• Waters (1995): reasons for the decline in British identity - Globalisation


  British companies taken over by foreign TNCs e.g. McDonalds; Americanization dominates culture
• Hall: Effects of globalisation on national identities


  Created a culture of hybridity and new multi-nationalities which have replaced singular national identities
• Durkheim: Function of national identity


  We are socialised through secondary agencies such as education into our history that makes us feel we belong to something bigger than ourselves, helping with social cohesion