Identity politics is a contested, contemporary and highly relevant term. It is used in both ends of the political spectrum and is often associated with liberal democracies. This thesis will explore...Show moreIdentity politics is a contested, contemporary and highly relevant term. It is used in both ends of the political spectrum and is often associated with liberal democracies. This thesis will explore identity polics by providing an in-depth literature analysis, arguments in favour and against the usage of it and its role with international relations (foreign policy) and democracies. Practical examples from India and the United States will be provided.Show less
In present-day America, the issue of whether or not Arab immigrants and communities will assimilate into mainstream American culture is at the forefront of political discussions and media...Show moreIn present-day America, the issue of whether or not Arab immigrants and communities will assimilate into mainstream American culture is at the forefront of political discussions and media presentations. By using the school setting of Fordson High School in Dearborn, Michigan—where the student population consists of 95% Arabs of American descent (ArDs) and 90% Muslims—to analyze identity formation in terms of Americanism, ethnicity/race, gender, and religion, the answer to this encompassing question begins to be understood. Using interviews and participant observation, this study analyzes the complexity of an Arab-American identity within a post-9/11 America, drawing attention to the intricacies of how ArDs identify specific attributes, actions, and values and how the school communities shapes these in this post-9/11 era. From this information, I analyzed how Fordson acts both actively and passively to influence the identities of its students and staff.Show less
