ABSTRACT
The concept of “identity” has gained widespread attention in the social sciences since its introduction by social psychologists in the 1970s. This theme – the question how people see themselves, how they are categorized by others, and what consequences these self-images have for attitudes and behavior – has become highly prominent also among the general public, in the media, in literature and in film production. Far-reaching social changes at three levels have led to the increasing relevance of problems of identity. Increasing levels of education, progressive labor-force participation of women, rising incomes and standards of living today enable more and more people to live in relative comfort and lead an independent life. However, at the same time, traditional social norms, values and guidelines have been eroded, marital and family relations have become more fragile, and flexibility has increased in jobs and careers. As a consequence, individuals are increasingly constrained to decide on their own how to live and where to set priorities. Profound changes have been going on also at the level of societies and nation-states. But also here contradictory tendencies exist which might affect individuals’ propensity to identify with their national societies. In Eastern Europe and in many less developed parts of the world, states have fallen apart and new ones have been founded. At the same time, neighboring states unite themselves into large macro-regional associations; the European Union is the most successful and extensive model in this regard. A weakening, if not erosion, of the independence of nations and of national identities may also be a consequence of the process of globalization, a third area of pervasive social change. Today we are witnessing the rise of a “global society”, characterized by processes of worldwide communication, economic exchanges and processes of migration.
