National Identity in the British Isles: Positive or Zero Sum Game
Open Access
Author:
Rebman, Michael John
Area of Honors:
Interdisciplinary in Political Science and Psychology
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
John King Gamble Jr., Thesis Supervisor Charisse Nixon, Thesis Honors Advisor Celise Schneider, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
Scotland Scottish referendum national identity
Abstract:
The concept of national identity is central to Psychology and to Political Science. Identity permits the individual to determine who they are as a person. The United Kingdom is a complex, contemporary example of an evolving national identity, in this case Scotland. The idea of how or whether to reconcile English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish identities pre-dates the Norman Conquest of 1066 and continues to evolve, e.g., with a referendum held in Scotland in October, 2014 on whether, after 300 years, to leave the United Kingdom. This topic is expansive. I have narrowed it by using concepts from Game Theory. Then, drawing upon research in the area of identity, I explain how identity it formed, its principal purposes, and key stages to its formation. Finally, I shall assess whether the development of a distinct, separate national identity in the British Isles is a positive or zero sum game
