South Asian Studies Lectr12

8/12/2019 South Asian Studies Lectr12

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SZABIST


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SOUTH ASIAN LITERATURE

ANDSOCIETY

Lecture -12


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Title

SAARC and the South Asian CommonIdentity


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What is Identi ty ?

Identity is a complex term, though it can be understoodgenerally as the sense of self, sameness and continuityin personal characteristics.The distinguishing character of an individual or anobject. (Merriam-Webster)The fact of being who or what a person or thing is ORthe characteristics determining who or what a person orthing is. (Oxford dictionary)However, presently, no definition offers a comprehensivestatement that may encompass the phenomenon orsenses the term translates into.


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W h y c o m p l ex ?

Different fields of study take and may define Identityfor individuals (humans) differently. For instance, insocial sciences Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy,Political Sciences offer different perspectives whiledefining identity .

Apart from a primordial approach to identity, as anancestry phenomenon, there is a socialconstructivist approach to identity as well which viewsIdentity as a formation of political, social or cultural

forces/ideas.


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Continued

It may then refer to:National identityEthnic identity (or linguistic identity)

Ethno-nationalist identityCultural identityCollective identityReligious identity

Gender identityPolitical identity (including ideological influences)Social identityOnline identity


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South Asia and identity crisis

South Asia has been faced with identity crisis since long.Initially, forces of nationalism provided a boost tonational identities, however; South Asian societies then

turned polarized on the basis of identity-related issues.There has never been a smooth and constant process ofsocio-political evolution.South Asian people owe their origin to varied

civilizations, some of which have either faded oramalgamated giving rise to mixed race phenomenon. Political instability and weak state structure in turnincreased tendencies towards strong expressions of

different identities.


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Continued

Political, economic and social disparities are also one ofthe factors that led towards identity-related issues.Unfinished decolonization also contributed to socialpolarization and identity crisis.Today, South Asian societies are divided along religious,political, cultural, ethno-lingual and social lines.

At regional level, South Asian states lack strongcommunication, faced with socio-cultural differences,religious differences are also one of the factors.


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Continued

Societies are faced with the dilemma of enemy image.

States are faced with bilateral conflicts that havepenetrated into societies and are translated into feelingsof animosity.Power imbalance.

History counts and there has never been a consciouseffort to eliminate the reasons of differences betweenstates.


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SAARC and South Asian Commonidentity

Following and exercising regionalism in the form ofSAARC (South Asian Association for RegionalCooperation), the region is too far away from promotinga sense of common identity.While South Asian states are faced with differences andidentity issues within, SAARC faces a formidablechallenge and a question: Can SAARC promote acommon identity?

What factor(s) can lead towards a sense of commonregional identity in South Asia? Can unity with diversity work at regional level?Is it necessary to develop a common regional identity forregionalism to work fully?


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References

James D. Fearon , What is Identity,http://www.stanford.edu/~jfearon/papers/iden1v2.pdf

Ajeet Cour and Noor Zaheer (eds.), Eight Neighbours:Together We Survive (New Delgi: FOSWAL, 2011).

Documents

South Asian Studies Lectr12