Security Implications of Inclusion Exclusion of Fractured Identities and Realigned Selves

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Security Implications of Inclusion/ Exclusion of
Fractured Identities and Realigned Selves
INCLUSION/ EXCLUSION 7th International
Postgraduate Conference UCL School of Slavonic
and East European Studies 16 18 February 2006

• Plamen Ralchev
• Department of International Relations
• University of National and World Economy - Sofia

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Context

• The changing nature of Europeanness
• Disturbing events in Europe
• Identity management in Europe
• Models of governance of diversity

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Assumptions

• Inclusion/ exclusion of collective identities and
  individual identities
• Post-modernist view on security
• Inclusion/ exclusion of particular types of
  identities and impact on security
• Fluid identities
• Indefiniteness of security and need for regular
  redefinition

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The Key Points

• Advocating the notion that individual identities
  and culture that determines them have an
  increasing impact on security
• Due to plethora of factors identities undergo
  specific transformations, which crucially
  influence security

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The Crisis of Modern Identities

• Digital exuberance and identity formation/
  selection
• Fragmentation
• Fluctuating and realigning selves

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Fractured and Realigned Identities

• By-product of heterogeneous societies and
  polities
• Levels of realignment
• Security impact
• The issue of recognition

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Rethinking Inclusion(?!)

• Security based on shared values(?)
• Unrestricted access to welfare and social
  security networks(?)
• Recognized as different(?!)
• Included as different(?!)
• Multi-dimensional and crosscutting social
  polymerization of individuals and groups

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Central and Eastern Europe follows suit

• New minority groups in CEE
• Increasing immigration pressure
• Prospects for fractured identities in CEE

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More Open Questions than Conclusions

• How to manage fractured identities and realigned
  selves?
• How to cope with their sense of apartness?
• How to secure their inclusion?
• Probably dual dichotomy inclusion-exclusion
  and inclusion-cohesion?
• More freedom in identity selection? Identity
  selection as cherry-picking?

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Contacts

• Plamen Ralchev
• ralchev_at_inbox.com
• Department of International Relations
• University of National and World Economy
• Sofia 1700, Bulgaria