Fluid or Frozen? Choice and Change in Ethno-National Identification in Contemporary Northern Ireland
Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 12 (3-4) 2006
37 Pages Posted: 24 Jul 2012
Date Written: January 23, 2006
Abstract
This article works with in-depth interviews with respondents in Northern Ireland to show different processes of choice and change in national identity. It argues that situational variation in identity is quite compatible with unchanging and oppositional forms of identity. Significant identity change is possible but uncommon, it requires incentives and resources, and it is more likely to occur in conflict generating than in conflict resolving directions.
Keywords: national identity, identity change, social mechanisms, Northern Ireland, essentialisation
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