Developing a solid basis for future research and training, this illuminating volume facilitates peace and mutual understanding between people by addressing a root cause of social conflicts: identity constructions. The volume encompasses eight revealing empirical case studies from regions throughout the world, conducted by experts from diverse disciplinary backgrounds.

Each case study examines how identities are being constructed and used in the region, how these identities are related to borders and in what ways identity constructions foment peace or conflict. The volume summarizes insights gleaned from these studies and formulates an analytical framework for understanding the role of identity constructions in conflict or peace.

Contents: Introduction: borders of the mind, Nikki Slocum-Bradley; The making of nations in Belgium and Western Europe in historical perspective (15th–20th century): national ideology, ethnicity, language and politics, Sébastien Dubois; Identity construction and citizenship conflicts in central Nigeria, Ogoh Alubo; The formation of national identity in Israel/Palestine: the construction of spatial knowledge and contested territorial narratives, David Newman; Borders of/on the mind, borders in the jungle; Islamic insurgency and ethno-religious irredentism in Southern Thailand, David Camroux and Don Pathan; The positioning diamond: conceptualizing identity constructions at the US-Mexico border, Nikki Slocum-Bradley; Identity constructions in the EU, NAFTA, and Mercosur: opportunities for peace and conflict, Francesco Duina; Religion and regional planning: the case of the emerging 'Shi'a region', Fathali M. Moghaddam; Custom and identity: reflections on and representations of violence in Melanesia, M. Anne Brown; Crossing mental borders: constructing a laissez-passer for peace, Nikki Slocum-Bradley; Index.

About the Editor: Nikki R. Slocum-Bradley is Research Fellow at the United Nations University, Belgium.

Reviews: 'In a world in which centripetal and centrifugal forces are impacting on communities and nations in the face of globalization and geopolitics, stress and friction are likely results that could lead to societal fissures and conflict. The search for identity in the midst of all this – which in itself is a potent force – can exacerbate or mitigate the conflict. But what are the key aspects of identity that can promote social harmony in our new world disorder?

Promoting Conflict or Peace through Identity examines the role of identity in selected communities around the world and explores the prospects of expanding the borders of the mind to embrace an attitude that recognizes and respects diversity, yet sharing common values for peace through co-existence. This book, which looks at the power of identity that is one of the root causes of conflict, leads one to assess if promoting interdependence and a sense of belonging and commonality contribute to enhancing social integration that will foster unity and peace? Or are territorial borders too constricting on the mental borders that define one's identity?

Promoting Conflict or Peace through Identity offers lessons to be learned on addressing physical and psychological space that characterize our being in the concept of identity for which many are willing to lay down their lives to defend.'
H.E. Rt. Hon. Don McKinnon, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, and former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand

'This volume is a timely and challenging opportunity for us to explore what is clearly a root cause of global tension and conflict – and that is identity construction. Dr Nikki Slocum-Bradley has set herself the task through eight case studies of promoting understanding of how we can build peace, mutual respect and trust across communities and borders. As we reflect, for instance, on events in Rwanda and in Darfur we are reminded that descent into genocide has tragically and typically been linked to the reasons why a group of people see another group as so much of a threat that hatred grows and violence ensues.'
Glenys Kinnock, Member of the European Parliament, Co-President of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

'Identity in the sense that is paramount in this collection of studies is a relatively new concept. Unlike the traditional notion of personal identity, the form of individual being, social identity points to the many ways that a person can be identified as member of a group. Furthermore social groups can take many forms. In this book a fascinating interplay is revealed between several of the main ways that group identity can be felt, manipulated and created in actual social scenes. These include at least sharing a common language, belonging to a common culture, living in a well-defined geographical region, having a shared history. The project that has involved bringing these studies together is the amelioration or prevention of conflict. Social conflict is itself a paradoxical matter. Conflict is one of the defining conditions of democracy. However, it is also a social condition that can transform itself very quickly into lethal and merciless physical violence. Nothing can be achieved politically until the roots of the transformation of mere diversity into rabid sectarianism have been revealed. The studies have the inestimable value of at least beginning the task of revealing those roots.'
Rom Harré, London School of Economics and Oxford University, UK and Georgetown University, USA

'The cogent analysis and insights highlighted in this ground-breaking research provide an invaluable framework for preventing conflict in ACP States and worldwide. Policymakers and practitioners alike can greatly benefit from the relevance and high calibre of Slocum-Bradley’s volume.'
Sir John R. Kaputin, KBE, CMG, Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

'Nikki Slocum-Bradley's edited volume, Promoting Conflict or Peace through Identity, is
a welcome addition to the literature on conflict and identity. An overarching theme
throughout the book, and one which is elaborated in the opening chapter, is the
construction of both psychological and physical borders between different identity
groups and their relation to peace and conflict. This understanding of identity is not
new, but Slocum-Bradley's emphasis on the role that individual actors play in this
construction is both interesting and useful.'
Journal of Intercultural Studies

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Full contents list

Introduction

Index