Transforming social identities and their role in the prevention of future conflict: an exploratory study of post-conflict Tajikistan

Abstract

Social Identity Theory suggests that negative intergroup relations are a possible side-effect of changing social identities. Today, religious identity and ethnonationalist identity gain importance in many countries. These two types of identity have been found to ambivalently affect society. With post-conflict Tajikistan as a case, this study explores how religious and ethnonationalist identity influence dynamics of peace and conflict. Telephone interviews with peacebuilding experts in Tajikistan showed both identities are indeed of increasing importance in Tajik society; at the same time, they do not seem to constitute main conflict-inducing elements. Realistic Conflict Theory is suggested as a more refined approach to the issue; mediator variables and their relation to identity and conflict dynamics are discussed beyond the example of Tajikistan.