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Approaching National Identities from the Perspective of Symbolic Interactionist Identity Theory: The Case of Contemporary Croatian National Identity

This paper presents a theoretical and empirical application of symbolic interactionist identity theory to the study of national identities, using the example of contemporary Croatian national identity. Identity, as understood by identity theory, represents the set of meanings that define someone when they are a member of a particular group (Burke and Stets, 2009:3 ; Stryker, 1980 ; McCall and Simmons, 1978). Symbols are the carriers of meanings of an identity, defined and shared by members of a given society. In this paper, we argue for the significance of symbolic interactionist identity theory for the research of contemporary national identities. Firstly, we discuss why the theories of nations and nationalism have largely failed to make a successful connection between symbols, meanings, identity and self/society in national identity research. Secondly, we stand for the applicability of symbolic interactionist identity theory in the research of national identities based on two main premises: 1) National symbols are the threads out of which the fabric of national identity is woven, and it is through the examination of meanings attributed to the set of constitutive symbols of a national identity that we can gain a deeper understanding of its nature ; and 2) The legitimization of a national system depends on shared meanings among its “ordinary” members. Therefore, the micro-level of meanings that citizens attribute to national symbols in their everyday lives is crucial in such research (Brubaker 1998 ; Kertzer 1988). Empirically, we apply these premises to the specific example of Croatian national identity. A qualitative research (85 in-depth semi-structured interviews) was conducted in 2013 on meanings attributed to Croatian national symbols by its citizens. General results will be presented regarding: 1) meanings, 2) salience, and 3) commitment to Croatian national symbols, as well as 4) the challenges for contemporary Croatian national identity that arise from these results.

national symbols; national identity; symbolic interactionism identity theory; identity salience; identity commitment; Croatia

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