Sardor (2002)
Suggest that the world is in the middle of global identity crisis
Britain is having lost its empire and feeling very small in a global world
Unsure whether it should become more American or more European
Englishness was based on historical traditions that are meaning less to the clear majority living more today
To develop a more confidentiality, we embrace diversity but also focus on what makes us the same
Guibernail and Goldbatt claim that British identity is a recent invention and based on:
- Geography so Britain feel separate
- Britain’s protestant religious status which differentiated the UK
- Wars were seen a forging uniquely
- British empire as British is seeing themselves as culturally superior
- The royal family as mass media is to be the heart of the identity
Skeg notes that British identity is expressed by the sentiment that others due to appearance, traditions and ways of behaving are threatening ‘britishness’
British identity expressed through victimhood
Garner agrees that national identity is often expressed in negative ways such as through concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and religious fundamentalism
However, more recently the fale of devolution, economic crisis and encouraging immigration so English identity has strengthen
Some argue that the new identity is negative and exclusive with the growth the popularity of groups such as English deference league
Others will argue flat national identity will become less and less significant in today’s globalised society
Young people are Arguable citizens of the world and national boundaries and cultural are less significant
The internet and social media have contributed to this breaking down of boundaries
Responses to Globalisation
Struat Hall (1991)
Suggested that countries may display 3 different reactions to globalisation
- Accept a global culture alongside their traditional culture so cultural hybridity
- Accept a global culture and all countries will become more similar which he referred to a cultural homogenisation
- Racist global culture and fiercely protect their cultural heritage becoming more traditional so cultural resistance
National Identity and Socialisation
Billig argues that the British people are mainly socialised into British identity through agencies such as education, the mass media and religion
Education
Teaching of history, English literature and religion in British schools tends to be promoting nationally identity
In 2014, the reaction to a controversial Ofsted reported that some schools in Birmingham were promoting Islamic values rather than British values
Michael Gove announced that all schools would be required to promoting British values
Migrants in Britain hoping to gain British citizenship and permanent residence must score at least 75% on life in UK
Includes question that focus on the values and principles that supposedly lie at the heart of being British
Media
Sindic argues that mass media such as newspaper gave people the opportunity to imagine themselves as members of the same national community
They share the same experiences despite the geographical distances that physically separate them
Anderson suggest that the mass media encourage British identity in a variety of ways
They encourage people to identify with national symbols
Mass media approve of and defer to the monarchy and are critical of the notion of republicanism
Members of the royal family are treated as celebrities
Some sections of the media may encourage national identity by promoting anti – European attitudes
Media talk up British achievements in global sporting events
Religion
Over 60% of people in the UK identify with various type of Protestantism. In times of national celebration, they are marking disasters or terrorists’ outrages and remembrance
The Decline of British Identity
Condor that while groups such as welsh and scots have developed a strong sense of identity by language, history, education, governments and media, the English are experiencing an identity crisis
Argues that many English people especially liberals have been willing to adopt the symbols of English identity
However, some English people are proud and open to display their English identity
According to Denscombe little Englanders are critical for multiculturalism
Evidence suggest this group may be increasing in number such as in 2011 census found 14% identified as British and 64% were English