approach for the state as a system of preconditions institutionalize the identity construction

What is it about?

This paper addresses some of the gaps in the contemporary study of the potential of the state in identity construction. In the contemporary literature, there is a tendency to treat nation identity as an independent variable, as explanans, and the state as a dependent variable, as the explanandum. To provide an alternative viewpoint, this paper develops an approach for the state as a system of preconditions that institutionalize the process of identity construction. The paper proposes a solution to a number of theoretical issues regarding the participation of the government and state institutions in identity politics. The main stages of institutionalization of state identity policy are considered. The structural components of a state identity policy are identified. The Russian model of state identity policy is characterized. The article discusses the issues of determining the effectiveness of the state in the formation of identity. Making cross-case generalizations, the paper first outlines the limitations of the state in national identity-making.

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Why is it important?

It is not too much of an exaggeration to state that identity-making has been studied only the through the lens of activities of individual actors, predominantly using rational choice theory. In our approach, we do not reduce the role of the state in identity making to activities of government officials, but we consider the role of the state as a full network of state institutions. The modern form of institutionalism allows analyzing the factors and consequences of attempts to pursue a policy of identity-making, when the existing state institutions produce ‘perverse effects’. The paper seeks to shift attention away from individual actors in identity making toward the role of state institutions and objectivist factors.

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