British National Identity Analysis

Introduction

Place and identity are closely connected. How people view themselves and identify themselves is interlinked with their places of birth and of residence. Others also look at individuals in terms of places and identities, and thus category people. National identity is a significant link between people and places, allowing to situate people within particular locations. Thus, Britishness can be identified as national identity of a particular local. Clarke believes that 'in these times of greater movement, national identity and its relationship to questions of belonging, attachment and citizenship has become an increasingly important political issue' (Clarke, 2009, p.207). What constitutes British identity is a matter of complex social

Consequently, British national identity is created through complex relationships with people and places. These relations have played a crucial role in establishing Britishness throughout history. In the past, the country's identity was determined by its 'colonial wealth (and power) of ‘Empire’' (Clarke, 2009, p.234). Other places stood in opposition to this nation, that viewed itself as superior, and its identity drew on racial characterisation of 'British Whites'. Thus, British identity was imagined as stemming from similarity and a common descent (Weber, (1978 [1922]). The Empire had economic, political and cultural powers that were also translated into stratified ethnic, cultural and racial identities of Brits (Hall, 2001). However, these imagined hierarchical structures have became distorted, and new British identities emerged. Hence, for example, Indians living in the UK have adopted various identities, from Sikhs, Hindus, to Britons or Indians (Clarke,

This essay showed that this identity is a matter of places, cultures, ethnicities or histories, thus creating a relationship between people and geography. In the United Kingdom, national identity draw in the past on the Empire and an idea of ethnic superiority. Later, this image has changed and Britishness has transformed with it. There have also been tensions between the UK and Europe, and the British identity must negotiate its position within the continent. Moreover, the text showed how migration from and to other places and increased multiculturalism reinvent British identity, and question its definability. It was suggested that some separate Britishness from migrants, while others see migration as a part of British principles and values. However, national identity also develops outside of geographical and spatial limitations. Thus, being British was presented as a matter of national culture, and as a result of everyday life of British citizens. In addition, it was suggested that national identity is only a part of a complex characterisation of each individual. Hence, 'the meaning of Britishness has changed over time and continues to give rise to confusion and debate' (Clarke, 2009,