Democratization: Resolution of National Identity Issues

Abstract

National identity issues exist when two or more identities within a nation compete over self-determination,territories, narratives, myths, rights and goals. This paper discusses whether democratization provides the means to resolve national identity problems in such a way that these problems are transformed into constructive dialogues between groups and the state instead of leading to violence or exclusion of groups. Democratization can transform national identity problems by providing political equality between groups and handing the state legitimacy toconstruct a national identity. It concludes that democratization on its own is not enough; it needs to be accompanied by certain conditions such as the construction of a civic national identity and internal political will. These conditions can also be seen as prerequisites for the establishment of a stable and strong democracy.