Globalization in Identity and Violence

As the concept of Globalization melds into disparate parts of human life, economics is often the most turbulent of its impact. Where many economists are seen as lacking compassion, Nobel Laureate, Amartya Sen "Gives economists a good name," said Ian Goldin, a Vice President at the World Bank. As the developing world taps the intellectual world of economists such as Sen and Jeffrey Sachs, the numbers tossed about in economic theories are taking shape as the people they represent.

In Amartya Sen's latest book, Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny, the world's divisions can influence both good and bad within humankind. Whether learning from other cultures or by holding stereotypes, ones identity is formed by what they call themselves and by other people's perception of them. Citizenship, Gender, Race, Religion and heritage are all instruments of language to help define who we are, but have a negative connotation when used against the individual. This is especially true with stereotypes that form prejudices that continually pass through generations and get reinforced through Mass Media. Sen is optimistic that "we're not doomed to have an identity imposed on us by others…" in explaining the book's subtitle in an interview with Dr. Moira Gunn.

At a talk hosted by the World Bank's InfoShop, Amartya Sen shared some insights into his much anticipated new work. Attempting to understand tension between identity is on the minds of many as waves of violence corrupt life in the Middle East. Identity has become a large factor in the "sectarian" conflicts erupting in Iraq, but also throughout Africa and South Asia. Sen emphasizes that what is needed most in the middle-east today is "cultivation of a civil society." Rightly so as this can harvest a greater unity between cultures with a common ground that will expand the groundwork of peaceful activity.

Sen clarifies that this is not one global identity or a monoculture that overshadows all else. Although he has called it a "Super-Identity" in which we relate to the whole of civilization. It seems even more so today, In the undeniable differences amongst humanity, there is an underling oneness surfacing in the collective consciousness. It is certainly not political, nor spiritual, but for many it may be quality of life, a respectful existence. From the perspective of economists the most rational pathway to harmonious living is through trade. There are many who feel in order to achieve trade equality, its is to encourage civil society through the larger concept of democracy. This can only be democracy in its widest form as in the Latin root of rule or power to the people to decide their destiny. It cannot be one country attempting to export or enforce political ideology on another. Hopefully Sen's book keeps this in perspective and takes into account that the Free Trade of nations is not always the fairest.

While world bodies, such as the World Bank and United Nations, are essential to peace, the prospect of a one-world government is not foreseeable in today's political climate. It could boil down to identifying as one civilization and the phenomenon of Globalization is creating this. The histories of civilization may be distinguished as part of separate identities, but it has all culminated into the worldview one can embrace today. Just as the Ancient Greeks influenced Arabic civilization or Eastern civilizations brought innovations to Western Civilizations, it has become harder to depend on even history to form the perception of identity.

A question written in to Sen from the African country of Mali asked of the importance of rising up and fighting for the preservation of identity when it is being oppressed. This underlies part of Sen's distinction between identity in a cultural context and reinforcing identity as a divisive practice. Identity essentially should be a diversity that is cherished by multiculturalism, but when it is used divisively is causes conflict through an us and them attitude. Mali is an example of why political oneness is not found entirely in democracy, as they have their own version, as does India or Peru, or the U.S.

Under the influence of Globalization a growing knowledge base or awareness is a simple but powerful force. Sen explains this simply as "if you didn't know about people, you wouldn't worry about them." When the hardships of people around the world are largely unknown by those who have the power to help, what you don't know CAN hurt you. The view for many today is that we are inextricably linked to each other and to the world and we cannot afford to neglect even the minutest suffering.

Historically, the politics of identity have seen the tensions of segregation, racism, even genocide. The civil rights movement in America is particularly relevant as an example of oppressed identity that rises up to defended itself by embracing its differences. As much as leaders such as Martin Luther King spoke of equality, the movement resulted in becoming part of the African American identity. Today the Rwandan genocide is at the forefront of understanding identity and violence and reveals extreme divisiveness.

This tension within the divisive nature of identity often arises from a group being isolated, having only that identity to grasp. Global awareness can combat the alienation of ignorance and intolerance, but caution must be taken to ensure that negative representations of identity do not spread with it. As these ideas are explored, thinkers like Amartya Sen contribute a wealth of knowledge, but Globalization cannot become over-intellectualized. If the benefits of democracy can ever realize their true meaning, the impact of politics, economics and culture must be accessible to all. Humankind has long known this and the great thinkers all proclaimed it, but even today equality is often made intangible through holding negative perceptions of identity.