Understanding Peace and Conflict Through Social Identity Theory

This volume brings together perspectives on social identityand peace psychology to explore the role that categorization plays in both conflictand peace-building. To do so, it draws leading scholars from across the worldin a comprehensive exploration of social identity theory and its application tosome of the world's most pressing problems, such as intrastate conflict,uprising in the middle east, the refugee crisis, global warming, racism and peace building. A crucial theme of thevolume is that social identity theory affects all of us, no matter whether weare currently in a state of conflict or one further along in the peace process. The volume is organized into two sections. Section 1 focuseson the development of social identity theory. Grounded in the pioneering workof Dr. Henri Tajfel, section 1 provides the reader with a historical backgroundof the theory, as well as its current developments. Then, section 2 bringstogether a series of country case studies focusing on issues of identity acrossfive continents. This section enablescross-cultural comparisons in terms of methodology and findings, and encouragesthe reader to identify general applications of identity to the understanding ofpeace as well as applications that may be more relevant in specific contexts.Taken together, these two sections provide a contemporary and diverse accountof the state of social identity research in conflict situations and peacepsychology today. It is evident thatany account of peace requires an intricate understanding of identity both as acause and consequence of conflict, as well as a potential resource to beharnessed in the promotion and maintenance of peace. Understanding Peace and Conflict Through Social Identity Theory: ContemporaryGlobal Perspectives aims to helpachieve such an understanding and as such is a valuable resource to thosestudying peace and conflict, psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists,public policy makers, and all those interested in the ways in which socialidentity impacts our world.