The Chechen Identity: between social movement and 'identity makers'

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict, Security, grade: 30 cl., Free University of Bozen-Bolzano , language: English, abstract: The objective of this research paper was to distinguish between two patterns with which Chechen identity has been constructed until now. On the one hand it has shown that identity is constructed by discursive social practice. On the other hand identity is shaped by narrations, which re- arrange hi[stories] in a given time period, and political discourses. The analysis of the latter one has shown that identity 'from above' (identity-makers) bears the risk of being exploited as legitimation for specific goals. Finally I have compared the results of this research with Huntington's famous thesis of 'Clash of Civilizations', with the result that the Chechen conflict cannot be incorporated in a broader conflict, such as 'Clash of Civilizations' because of Chechens peculiar cultural composition.