Development and
Cooperation

Digital monthly 5/2024

Identity politics

Ethnic identity

Ethnicity is a fundamental part of African societies

In Africa, the question of who a person is includes which ethnic group they belong to. These affiliations have led to bloody conflicts on the continent and still shape politics and daily life in many places today.

Historical responsibility

Misguided fight against antisemitism

For good reason, it is considered antisemitism to assess Israel in a more critical light than other states. However, philosemitism – a prejudiced endorsement of anything Jewish – is not helpful in fighting antisemitism.

Queer people

Defending the progress made

Much has been achieved for queer people in Germany in recent decades. At the same time, they are still a target for physical and psychological abuse.

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Nationhood

To define Pakistan as a nation, Islam is insufficient

Pakistan is a fragmented nation with a shaky political system, and the focus on Sunni Islam did not forge the desired unity.

Separatism

The Biafra legacy

Nigeria’s ethnic diversity has often been a bane rather than an opportunity to promote plural strength and development for the country. This was never more evident than during the devastating Biafra war.

Radicalisation

Extremist temptation

Radical groups are instrumentalising the Gaza war for their own purposes and recruiting young people via social media.

Race and identity

The difficulty of quantifying diversity in the US

Government attempts to quantify the diversity of United States residents have always fallen short. Outdated understandings of race are part of the problem.

Working world

When qualifications don’t decide your career

In Uganda, as in many other parts of the world, a person’s identity and social relationships are influenced by ethnicity, faith and language. These factors can also have a significant impact on career prospects.

Our View

Battles over selves

Identity politics can promote justice, but also further divide our world. It is important to take an inclusive approach that recognises the complexity of identities and involves everyone in creating sustainable change.

Nation building

A challenge for a young country

Thirteen years after gaining independence, South Sudan is still struggling with the inclusion of its various ethnic communities. Tribalism remains a challenge that undermines a functioning nation state.

Latin America

Indigenous politics in Ecuador and Bolivia

Rafael Correa and Evo Morales adopted new constitutions in Ecuador and Bolivia in 2008 and 2009. Both presidents’ identity politics placed a strong focus on indigenous culture and led to change.

Hindu-supremacism

Why South India snubs Modi

In the current election campaign India’s prime minister is emphasising identity politics that so far have not resonated much in regions with Dravidian languages.