Ethnic Identity and Globalization

Abstract

Globalization and ethnic identity are inescapable features of our contemporary social experience, operating in a complex and paradoxical relationship. On one hand, ethnic identity is often employed in service of resisting or contesting globalization. A group that can convincingly demonstrate a shared history and culture in a particular territory is well positioned to put forward a political argument or territorial claim in the national or international arena. On the other hand, this politicalization of ethnicity and its relationship to geography itself emerged and spread through globalization. The very concept of ethnic identity as we know it arose from the history of increased global mobility and intercultural contact. In addition, political movements that assert a common ethnic identity are often enabled by globalization in that they rely on international networks, institutions, and media outlets to shape and convey their message. While the increasing mobility of people, ideas, and things has loosened ties between ethnicity and territory, ethnic identity remains a primary way for a group of people to express a shared culture and history while differentiating themselves from other groups. Furthermore, since globalization is experienced in different ways by different populations, ethnic identity has become a useful discourse for people to process and articulate their experience.