A Question of Identity

Published in 1998, this book is a multi-disciplinary exploration of one of the most vital issues in the contemporary world. Never was this topic more relevant than now, on the threshold of the twenty-first century. At a time when the global economy, European citizenship and worldwide religion are the order of the day, nationalism - as in eastern Europe and the Balkans - and regionalism - Wales and Scotland provide perfect examples - ride high on the agenda. It is the problems and paradoxes that emerge immediately the subject is raised that form the core of this book. A Question of Identity breaks new ground by drawing together eminent academics from a variety of disciplines including; anthropology, history, law, linguistics, politics, psychology and sociology, to examine the way in which issues of identity have impacted on society and the way in which changes in society have resulted in a re-evaluation of identity. Topics covered include, ‘Britishness’ within the context of devolution; language and identity; religion, gender and identity; the political and legal problems of European citizenship; elderly migrants and identity; and German identity after reunification. The book explores questions of identity in two sections: British and global. The main conclusion to be reached is that at any period of history the question of identity is complex composed of interacting facets which combine in larger or smaller proportions to create the whole, be that individual, group, ethnic, religious, national or supranational. This book sets out to identify some of the facets that contribute to the whole and by so doing answers some of the questions which are currently circulating around the question of identity.