Constructing Identity in “Glocal” Politics

Abstract

This paper seeks to understand the impact of current global political and socioeconomic conditions on the construction of identity. I advance an argument based on a two-step logic. First, I challenge the characterization of current socioeconomic conditions as one of globalization by marshaling arguments and evidence that strongly suggest that along with globalization, there are simultaneous processes of localization proliferating in the world today. I contend that current conditions are indicative of things far exceeding the scope of globalization and that they can be described more accurately as ccglocalization.~H’2a ving established this claim, I show how the processes of glocalization affect the construction of Muslim identity. Why do I explore the relationship between glocalization and identity construction? Because it is significant. Those conversant with current theoretical debates within the discipline of international relations’ are aware that identity has emerged as a significant explanatory construct in international relations theory in the post-Cold War era.4 In this article, I discuss the emergence of identity as an important concept in world politics. The contemporary field of international relations is defined by three philosophically distinct research programs? rationalists: constructivists,’ and interpretivists.’ The moot issue is essentially a search for the most important variable that can help explain or understand the behavior of international actors and subsequently explain the nature of world politics in order to minimize war and maximize peace. Rationalists contend that actors are basically rational actors who seek the maximization of their interests, interests being understood primarily in material terms and often calculated by utility functions maximizing given preferences? Interpretivists include postmodernists, critical theorists, and feminists, all of whom argue that basically the extant world political praxis or discourses “constitute” international agents and thereby determine their actions, even as they reproduce world politics by ...