Cultural Diversity and the New Politics of Identity
Cultural Diversity and the New Politics of Identity

Summary/Abstract: In a world of interdependence, the politics of identity should be reformulated according to the new realities: i.e. the refugees' crisis, the threat of terrorism, the phenomena inherent to globalization. Globalization puts a severe strain on ethnic, religious or national identities whereby people used to define themselves. Local identities do not disappear, but are reinterpreted. The ethnic diversity and the claims of cultural and political selfdetermination, even of territorial autonomy, formulated by historical minorities, have weakened the national state, which is no more capable of social integration. Some people regard cultural diversity as a source of instability and conflict, others think that cohabitation and dialogue are still possible. As groups want not only to be tolerated but also recognized in the multicultural public space and respected for their specificity, the new identity politics should differentiate between individual and collective identity, between inherited identities and chosen ones, between cultural identity and gender, racial, professional or religious identities; it should also specify the criteria for the application of cultural rights in the relationship of national minorities with the majority population or between migrants and receiving countries.

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