The choices of identity

Identity is used in today's media very frequently to explain the conditions in which political competitions unfold, in particular when they develop into violent conflict. However, the explanatory power of descriptions in terms of ‘identity’ appears to be extremely limited. A comparative study based on field research done in different parts of the world tends to show that narratives of identity are produced in order to create and mobilize certain groups towards the attainment of particular political goals. Based on ‘liberating amnesia’ and selection of cultural traits, narratives of identity produce change and cannot be understood as expressions of social homogeneity or representations of immutable realities. This implies that there are always several identity narratives in competition on the same political marketplace and that citizens can choose among them. However, stressing the limits and exposing the dangers of politics dominated by identity narratives does not amount to denying the importance of cultural specifities. On the contrary, it leads to a reassessment of the conditions which allow, or should allow, for free processes of cultural cross‐fertilization. The alternative — still another choice — therefore appears to be between open systems of group inter‐action in which differences mean a wealth of knowledge and values accessible to everyone, and closed systems built on the belief that identities and cultures are exclusive, and that some of them should prevail upon others.