In breve
L'identità di gruppo crea una comunità coesa per gli attivisti, ma tende a promuovere una sottocultura che può alienare il pubblico. Bilanciare queste due tendenze è la chiave per sostenere il nostro lavoro e massimizzarne l'impatto.
Origini
Formulato da Jonathan Matthew Smucker, influenzato da Robert Putnam su bonding e bridging, Antonio Gramsci sulla strategia egemonica e Frederick D. Miller sull'incapsulamento.
Any serious social movement needs a correspondingly serious group identity that encourages its members to contribute an exceptional level of commitment and sacrifice over the course of prolonged struggle. Strong group identity, however, is a double-edged sword. The stronger the identity and cohesion of the group, the more likely people are to become alienated from other groups, and from society. This is the political identity paradox.
Dedicated radicals cut themselves off, like lone guerrilla fighters in enemy territory. It might have felt glorious, but it was a suicide mission.
The political identity paradox suggests that while political groups require a strong internal identity to foster the commitment needed for effective political struggle, this same cohesion tends to isolate the group. Isolated groups are hard-pressed to achieve political goals. This is true of all groups, but tends to have particular consequences for a group involved in political struggle, which not only has to foster a strong internal identity, but also has to win allies.
Esempi nel mondo reale
Equipping people with tools and training to stop hateful acts and to encourage policies and practices that promote safety and inclusion.