Ethnic Identification and its Main Principles in SocioPolitical Processes

Abstract

This article discusses the main theoretical views on the formation of ethnic groups, the concept of ethnic identity and its various interpretations, the impact of ethnic relations on socio-political processes. The scientific debate on ethnic identity was comparatively analyzed based on the theories of primordialism, instrumentalism, and constructivism. Supporting the existence of racism and nationalism, the theory of primordialism regarding ethnic identity claims that ethnic identity is an independent unit, independent of historical and social conditions, that economic and institutional mechanisms cannot destroy it, and that tribal affiliation plays an important role in people's political behavior. If primordialism explains ethnicity with non-ethnic (natural) factors, instrumentalism sees this as a variable associated with ethnic groups. According to instrumentalism, human nature does not consist of a spirit of savagery, but of profit and greed. Ethnic groups under the control of greedy and self-serving socio-political groups are an instrument. Proponents of the theory of constructivism argue that with a change in identity, ethnic groups and ethnic demographic groups that identify these people change. The strength of the constructivist theory lies in the fact that it seeks to study at a macro level the current causes, the role of subjects, historical processes and environmental factors that directly affect, along with the main (primary) causes of ethnic conflict. Although this theory is ineffective in the study of narrowly targeted ethnic conflicts, it plays an important role in the comprehensive study and resolution of ethnic conflicts.