The Construction of National Identity
Number of pages:
10
ABSTRACT:
This is a 10 page paper discussing the construction of national identity. National identity is said to be constructed out of several key elements. Firstly, members of a nation construct their national identity out of a shared collective memory of historical events. Many of these memories are actually based on myth but that is irrelevant if these ideals are shared by all. Because of the “selective” memory used in the construction of national identity, desirable aspects of a nation’s history are promoted while less desirable aspects are forgotten or hidden to protect the perception of the national identity. National identity is therefore highly social and interactive between the members of the state, its political system and educational systems among others. Collective national identity may also be based on aspects of shared language or shared cultural and religious beliefs. The concept of national identity is ever changing which relates to social, historical and political changes within the nations and their relationships with other nations around them. Regardless of the dynamic nature of national identity, it cannot be easily forced or changed from the decisions of a few although in many ways, promotion of national identity or collective history and memory is evident throughout the educational systems and the use of national symbols.
Bibliography lists 9 sources.
FILE NAME:
File: D0_TJniden1.rtf
Send Me This Paper
Back to Papers