Open Access Research Article
The Future of Cultural and National Identity
Published Paper
Article Details
THE FUTURE OF CULTURAL AND NATIONAL
IDENTITIES
AUTHORED BY - TARSISIUS GAHADZIKWA
“Our ability to reach unity in
diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilisation”, as it was
propagated by the great Mahatma Gandhi, the modern day world is also slowly
drifting to a unified globalised world where the major point of identity is the
human race aspect. National identity refers to how one sees himself as a member
of a nation. Cultural identity alludes to a person’s sense of belonging to a
certain group of people which provides a sense of security and allows for the
formation of relationships. In previous centuries of hyper-powers, like the Roman Empire or ancient
Persia or the Mongol Empire, the concepts of cultural and national identity
were not ignored in the conquests, formation and function of the hyper-power
states but rather they were tolerated and this led to the success of the hyper-powers
in their expansion. These hyper-powers realised that to create a successful
empire the most important thing was to acquire the best and the brightest
regardless of ethnicity, religion or background. This paper seeks to review how
globalisation and migration are likely to affect the concepts of cultural and
national identity identity. The supposition being that it is likely that the
world, aided by technological advancements, globalisation and migration, is integrating into an ultimate borderless supranational
state in which cultural and national identity are secondary to the human race
identity. The study has taken a global scope to fully appreciate the true
future of cultural and national identity. To further understand the situation an
intensive doctrinal study of world history, current trends and the modern
statutes has been employed in the construction
of this research paper. An empirical study was also conducted with the help of
a questionnaire to have a brief understanding of cultural and national
identity.
Keywords: hyper-power, tolerance,
globalisation, supranational
INTRODUCTION
Identity is the single most important
aspect that individuals carry around and identify each other. Identity is the seed
from which all connections, relationships and interactions revolve around.
However, with the progression of time
identity has continuously evolved as well. From all of the various historical theories
of the evolution of man, one key feature seems to run in all the stories, which
is identity growth or evolution. Charles Darwin was of the view that human
beings in their first form were characterised with, by then, appropriate features
such as complete fur and long arms. Charles Darwin’s work promoted the idea
that species change over time and thus, give rise to new species who share a
common ancestor.[1] In other
schools human kind is believed to have evolved from the Stone Age to present day
which also supported for the evolution of man’s identity. In biblical perspective,
after humans were created and the whole scene in the Garden of Eden, identity
of man started to evolve as the children of Adam and Eve started to branch out.
Ethnical groups were born were people
identified themselves by the language and practices (culture) which they followed.These
groups would live simultaneously but separately on a given area. In other parts
of the world, mainly Africa, Asia and parts of America, colonialism gave them
new identities as it introduced religion and other western practices which
again shifted the definition of identity. However, nationalism, which tied the
people of certain territories under one definition with one enemy, also created
another definition of identity. In this instance people moved from their ethnic
identities to national identities.
Improvements in transportation, mass
media and other technologies brought down the national boundaries and sought to
create a global village where news is shared from all ends of the world and one
can easily move from one nation to another. This globalisation is now creating
another new form of identity.
Understanding National and Cultural identity
National identity in layman’s terms
is recognition based on a defined sovereign territory with a certain boundaries
and a defined population. National identity is how we see ourselves as members
of a nation of people. It creates a feeling of belonging to a particular nation
which denotes that whatever that nation stands for is by default what the
individual of that nation also stands for. In most cases it has been outlined
that national identity dictates the nation to be an extension of an individual
thus, whatever affects the nation affects the individual directly. National
identity ties individuals to identify themselves with certain colours, i.e the
ones on their nations flag, symbols or songs (National symbol and national
anthem respectively).[2] In
this instance people identify with the colours of their flag, national anthem
or even national animal. Thus, national identity refers to the identification
which is tied to a political state. In other words, national identity is the
political part of identity of any man. In the case of Jadhav vs Pakistan, Mr
Jadhav, an Indian, was protected by India from the punishment which he had been
subjected to in Pakistan. It is clear that, yes Mr Jadhav had committed a crime
but by being an Indian in Pakistan, given the subjection of both countries to
the Vienna Convention (Article 36), was supposed to get home representation
which he had not received.[3] This
is an indication of how Mr Jadhav’s national identity came to his rescue.
National identity can be presented differently from country to country, for
example, Canada has a broad inclusive definition of national identity which
comprises of different people including immigrants who make up the nation of
Canada. Some South Asian countries practice an exclusionary form of national
identity. In America an individual might have a racial and/or ethnic national
identity, eg African American.
Cultural identity in layman’s terms
is recognition based of off traditional values, language or practices. Cultural
identity is a fluid process influenced by a variety of social, cultural and historical
events. Cultural identity acts as a way to preserve history and provide
individuals a place where they feel they belong due to their practices or
linguistics skills. Cultural identity gives an individual a sense of belonging
to a certain distinct group, which provides a sense of security and allows for
the formation of relationships. For example in a country like Zimbabwe, one
might identify as a Zimbabwean, through national identity, and also as a
Ndebele, through cultural identity. Thus, in most cases cultural identity would
be more of a secondary identification after the national identity.
However, globalisation has ever since
been threatening to wipe of these two forms of identity. Globalisation has improved
trade, not only of goods and services but of cultures, ideologies and even
social norms. In modern times it is common for one to wake up and read news
from a different part of the globe and have a meal of a different nation while
working or residing in a different nation to the one he was born in. Such has
been the impact of globalisation.
National and Cultural identity in present times
In present times national identity is
still standing strong as compared to cultural identity. National identity, in former
colonies mostly, has been supported by the recent nationalism. In most of the
countries which underwent colonialism, nationalism played a major role in
shaping up their future as it brought independence. During the trials and
tribulations of colonialism the people were in desperate times and a hero in
the form of nationalism emerged and gave them not only renewed hope but an
improved identity. Nationalism gave people a national identity which was enough
to get people to die for their nations.[4] National
identity changes our reality, we are experiencing what happens to our nation as
if it happened to us eg the movie “Rocky V”.[5]
The common American indicated a sense of excitement and felt triumphant when
Rock, the American, beat his Russian opponent. The same Americans indicated
rage and anger when the same scene was altered to make it appear as though
Rocky has been defeated by his Russian opponent. Thus, this indicates how
national identity is playing an important role in present times.
Also, despite globalisation breaking
down boarders, national identity still remains strong and the complete annihilation
of national identity is not foreseeable.This can be attributed to the works of
great scholars such as Anthony Smith in his conclusion in Nation and
Nationalism in the Global Era (1995)where he propagated the view that predictions,
that the world will become largely supranational, are too optimistic and supranational
identities (global identities), will not replace national identity any time
soon.[6] This view highlights that indeed
globalisation is breaking down boarders and creating supranational identity,
but in so doing globalisation is actually reinforcing nationalism by improving
self reflective and self celebration when mixing with other nations. This further
supports the notion that in current times the concept of national identity is
still considerably fresh and its extermination is still not in sight.
However, the same can not be said for
cultural identity. Cultural identity has, ever since the introduction of
national identity, taken the back seat. The shift from ethnic bounds to
national boundaries to globalisation is one which has proven to be tough for
cultural identity to handle. Morden times have seen a rise in multi-cultural
identity, for example the Sikh (an Indian ethnic group) in Canada and Uk seemed
exemption from wearing helmets while driving motorcycles, arguing that helmets
would require them to remove their turbans which are a major factor in their
culture. They also sought exemption to carry their ceremonial daggers, which
again are a major factor in their cultural identity, they argued that removing
the ceremonial daggers would result in alienation of their culture. They,
however, won the former but lost the latter. This shows how globalisation has
led to the Sikh’s alienation of their culture. With people feeling moving
across boarders certain cultural norms become unacceptable when they mix with
new people and hence they seek common ground which allows them to live together
in harmony, but in so doing important cultural identities are traded off for
inclusion in the new globalised world.
The predictions for National and Cultural identity
The world continues to progress and
in so doing, boarders are being ignored and cross-boarder trade of everything is
being encouraged. This is creating and promoting a sense of tolerance between
human beings of different nations. If we take a look at the past where hyper-powers
and identities existed the key to their survival was tolerance as has been
illustrated above by their previous success when they incorporated experts from the
countries which they conquered into their armies and industries. The same concept
has taken a new face under globalisation. Experts in various fields have
started migrating and moving to other countries which are pioneering in their
fields. Thus, the toleration from the countries to encompass the foreign
experts is the new form of toleration and is fast promoting the supranational
identities.
Certain countries have relaxed and
even supported reforms which allow for immigrants to settle overseas. An
example of this is Canada. Canada is promoting and welcoming immigrants.
Technological advancements have made
travelling easier than before in modern day and the advancements are still
progressing. It is foreseeable that in the future people will even be able to
travel faster than present day and as such will improve migration which will in
turn further erase the national identity.
Mass media advancements, like the
internet, global television, improved
communication devices, all cater for the spread of foreign cultures which in
turn making recognition of the former cultural identity almost impossible in
the future as they continue to advance.
EMPIRICAL FINDINGS
An empirical analysis was held with
the help of a questionnaire to investigate the possible future of National and
Cultural identities. A random sample of the international students studying in
India was taken and 32 respondents took part in this investigation.
THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS FOUND FROM THE STUDY
In present times despite not being in their birth country, the international students still believe that their country of birth is a major part of their identity. 25 out of the 32 international students all agreed that their country of birth indeed plays a major part in defining their identity. Immigrating to another country did not affect their identity as no one ticked the current country to be an important part of their identity. Despite the noise around politics no one marked it as an important aspect of their identity. They did not realise however, that being affiliated to the nation itself is politics of the world and their country is their political party. Ethnicity and religion was highlighted by a few individuals indicating how cultural identity will soon become extinct or “too evolved to be realised”.
The second question was based in the idea of removing one from his nation completely. 56.7% of the test subjects all responded that they would move to a new country without even considering going back to their birth country’s. Thus, this proves that despite birth countries being an important aspect of the test subjects, they are open to permanent relocation which would in turn give rise to a new identity for their children who are likely to have no cultural identity to link them to their original roots.
The third question was set to
establish the importance of birth country in identity. In this case given the
fact that these international students were in foreign lands and were open to
relocating permanently, established that the next generation from this subject
would inherit a different country of birth and given the importance placed on
birth country by the parents this would allow for a new global identity for the
next generations who would be having roots from a completely different nation
with a different culture to what they will be considering their own national
and cultural identity. Thus, advancing the idea of supranational identity
This question was set to get an
understanding of globalisation from the international students.80% of the test
subjects acknowledged that globalisation is indeed responsible for the creation
of a global village in which identity has evolved past national and cultural
identity.
Given that the test subject was still
operating under financial restraints, the question eliminated the issue of
finance and questioned good choice. In this case food choice was standing in as
a representation of cultural identity. In almost all the countries, one dish
stands out and is often times unofficial regarded as the country’s
national/cultural dish. Given that the test subjects were in India, here Pizza
and croissants represented the Italian and French culture respectively. 40.6%
of the test subjects opted for a local dish. This accompanied by the fact that
80% had opted to permanently move to another country serves as an indication of
what’s going to be left of cultural identity, only the food. Even so, the
results (25%) were in favour of the popular Italian and French cuisine despite
non of the test subjects being from France or Italy.
In this question, again, cultural identity was being portrayed through fashion. Certain countries like India with their Saris, Nigeria with their agbada, Zimbabwe and Zambia with their chitenge, Cameroon with their toghu, have their own unique traditional attires. However, when given the option to choose something to wear 67.7% of the test subjects opted for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt/ a sundress, which can be considered western culture. Thus, indicative of the part technology, and mass media are playing in the creation of a supranational identity.
In this test, entertainment was used
as a representation of the olden national and cultural identity. In all the
countries, various types of entertainment are prevalent, for example Nigeria
has its own Nollywood. 50% of the test subjects opted for Hollywood/international
entertainment. This shows how mass media has promoted the annihilation of
culture as time passing activities played a major role in defining cultural
identity.
CONCLUSION
In summation, as Eric Hobsbawm argued
that over the course of time nationalism would no longer be a vital political
program and the world would become ‘largely supranational’ (1992,191) in his
classic “Nations and Nationalism”,[7]
the same remains true as is being evidenced by the effects of globalisation.
Globalisation, a process of increasing cross-boarder flows of goods, services
ideologies, people, information, etc promotes international connectedness and
improves tolerance. Despite globalisation not having reached its full
potential, it is evident that in the near future, globalisation will annihilation
national and cultural identities. The advancements in technology and mass media
also indicate that national identity and cultural identity will soon give in to
supranational identity.
[1] https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/natural-selection/natural-selection-ap/a/darwin-evolution-natural-selection#:~:text=Key%20points%3A,and%20share%20a%20common%20ancestor.
[2]https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Political_Science_and_Civics/Introduction_to_Comparative_Government_and_Politics_(Bozonelos_et_al.)/07%3A_Political_Identity-_Nationalism_Religion_Class/7.02%3A_What_is_National_Identity#:~:text=Symbols%20are%20commonly%20used%20to,those%20symbols%2C%20colors%20and%20words.
[3] Jadhav
v Pakistan 2017 ICJ
[4] How
Nations make up National Identity |NTT – The Interpreter
[5] Ibid
[6] Gal
Ariely, 2020, Nationalism and Globalisation
[7] Gal
Ariely, 2020, Nations and Globalisation
Article Information
The Future of Cultural and National Identity
Authors: Tarsisius Gahadzikwa
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Published 2024/06/17
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- Abbreviation IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Access Open Access
- License CC 4.0
All research articles published in International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis are open access and available to read, download and share, subject to proper citation of the original work.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis.