Identities as Projects, Essentialism as Rhetoric

Nick Hopkins

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-11918-6_12

Identities as Projects, Essentialism as Rhetoric

Nick Hopkins (Lead / Corresponding author)

Psychology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Ethnic conflict is often presented as being rooted in group differences that are inherent and immutable. This assumes both the existence of the group identities involved and the nature of their attributes. However, neither the availability of particular group-based identifications nor their attributes are givens: they are social products. This chapter explores the human social practice involved in their construction. In doing so, it pays particular attention to the strategic dimension to such construction, highlighting the way in which the characterisation of people’s identities features in the mobilisation of group members’ opinion and action. Viewed from this angle, essentialist rhetoric and imagery is practically important for the work it accomplishes in naturalising such social and political projects. This is illustrated through reference to the ways in which the symbols, material products, histories and narratives associated with an identification provide an argumentative reserve and rhetoric for the essentialisation of identity.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Culture, identity, and Essentialism
Subtitle of host publication	Anthropological and psychological approaches
Editors	Wolfgang Wagner, Cristina Moya
Publisher	Springer International Publishing
Pages	243-263
Number of pages	21
Edition	1
ISBN (Electronic)	9783032119186
ISBN (Print)	9783032119179
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-11918-6_12
Publication status	Published - 1 May 2026

Publication series

Name	Theory and History in the Human and Social Sciences
Volume	Part F1801
ISSN (Print)	2523-8663
ISSN (Electronic)	2523-8671

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

Ethnicity
Identity construction
Identity projects
Myth
Power
Practice
Rhetoric
Social identity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
Anthropology
History
Sociology and Political Science

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-11918-6_12Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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abstract = "Ethnic conflict is often presented as being rooted in group differences that are inherent and immutable. This assumes both the existence of the group identities involved and the nature of their attributes. However, neither the availability of particular group-based identifications nor their attributes are givens: they are social products. This chapter explores the human social practice involved in their construction. In doing so, it pays particular attention to the strategic dimension to such construction, highlighting the way in which the characterisation of people{\textquoteright}s identities features in the mobilisation of group members{\textquoteright} opinion and action. Viewed from this angle, essentialist rhetoric and imagery is practically important for the work it accomplishes in naturalising such social and political projects. This is illustrated through reference to the ways in which the symbols, material products, histories and narratives associated with an identification provide an argumentative reserve and rhetoric for the essentialisation of identity.",

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Identities as Projects, Essentialism as Rhetoric. / Hopkins, Nick (Lead / Corresponding author).
Culture, identity, and Essentialism: Anthropological and psychological approaches. ed. / Wolfgang Wagner; Cristina Moya. 1. ed. Springer International Publishing, 2026. p. 243-263 (Theory and History in the Human and Social Sciences; Vol. Part F1801).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

TY - CHAP

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KW - Power

KW - Practice

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BT - Culture, identity, and Essentialism

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Identities as Projects, Essentialism as Rhetoric

Abstract

Publication series

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this