Symbols, Conflict, and Identity: Essays in Political AnthropologySUNY Press, 1993 M01 1 - 297 pages This book investigates cultural and social identity in contemporary complex societies, focusing especially on Eastern Europe. Mach explains the role of symbols and symbolic forms in he relations between groups and the protection and development of their identities, especially ethnic identity. He places his study within the context of social order and the structure of power, using case studies which deal especially with the significance of politics, state rituals and national identity (Great Britain, Israel, Russia, Poland); in the conflict and displacement of migrating groups (Polish and German); and in regional questions of identity and inter-ethnic relations (Poland, United States, Great Britain). Mach presents a clear conceptual framework for analyzing the symbolic construction of identity. He views cultural identity as a dynamic, creative process which clarifies issues that are particularly significant in contemporary society, such as nationalism, new ethnicity, minority culture, and the cultural dimension of political conflicts. |
Contents
Identity in Complex Societies Adaptation and Conflict | 3 |
The Symbolic Construction of Identity | 22 |
Aspects of Identity | 93 |
Politics State Rituals and National Identity | 95 |
Migration Ethnic Identity and the Significance of Territory | 172 |
The Construction of Identity among Ethnic Minorities | 211 |
Other editions - View all
Symbols, Conflict, and Identity: Essays in Political Anthropology Zdzislaw Mach Limited preview - 1993 |
Symbols, Conflict, and Identity: Essays in Political Anthropology Zdzislaw Mach Limited preview - 1993 |
Common terms and phrases
Abner Cohen aspects assimilation balance of power basis behavior belong Bocock bolic boundaries British celebrations ceremony character Church cial concept construction context created cultural defined dominant economic Edmund Leach elements elite emotions established ethnic group ethnic identity existence express fact function German historical human ideas iden identification ideology immigrants independent interaction interpretation Jewish Jews Kraków land language Leach Lemko live Lutherans majority meaning migration minority myth mythical national identity national symbols nationalistic objects opposition organized parade participants particular perceived Poland Poles Polish Americans Polish language Polish national political population Poznań present principles reality regime relations religion religious Remembrance Day represented result ritual role Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Church Russian sacred secular situation social change social order social world society solidarity Soviet Union symbolic action symbolic forms symbolic model symbolic structure Teschen tion tional town tradition transformed Ukrainian values World War II