ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the assertion that identities are constructions, delineated by psychological borders, which can enable conflict-inciting or peace-promoting thought and action. Identity constructions can play an integral role in promoting conflict or peace. Identities evoked are suggestive of a certain distribution of rights and duties. Conflict and peace can be seen as two types of ends, amongst many others, achieved through discourses that evoke identities and borders. The perceived relevant identity of the transgressor also has important consequences for the potential for conflict. Concomitantly, rights and duties were allocated to persons identified in accordance with the borders evoked. Following the insights from Slocum-Bradley, the role of identity in conflict can be schematized as emerging at various points within an analytical process. The steps are distinguished for analytical purposes and are not meant to imply chronological order. The evocation of fixed group identities in assigning blame is prone to lead to further perceptions of injustice and mutual acts of retaliation.
