STUDY | National Identity and Social Cohesion: Chile in Perspective
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National identity is a complex and multidimensional concept that is constructed over time through various historical, cultural, political, and social factors. Its relationship with social cohesion has been widely studied in different contexts, as it has historically been observed that when the former is strong, it can foster unity, but it can also be a factor of exclusion if based on restrictive criteria.
Thus, national identity has served as a mechanism of social cohesion, facilitating the construction of a sense of belonging and solidarity among citizens. However, it has also been used as an instrument of control, reinforcing homogeneous narratives that marginalize certain groups within society. For this reason, various studies have shown that the way a society defines its national identity influences how it manages internal diversity and its capacity to generate inclusion or segregation.
In other words, “national identities provide criteria for demarcation: they tell us who belongs to a group and who does not; they grant some the status of belonging to the group, but also exclude those who do not meet the imposed criteria. In this sense, it is a double-edged sword, which can foster both unity and fragmentation” (Holtug and Uslaner, 2021, p. 2).
Currently, it is observed that the disputes surrounding national identities are particularly notable in debates about immigration and integration, where it is defined “who belongs to the nation (and, therefore, whose admission should be welcomed) and the conditions under which they can become full members (obtaining citizenship and various political and social rights that may or may not be linked to the latter)” (Holtug and Uslaner, 2021, p. 2).
As a result, it can be interpreted that national identity not only responds to an internal construction but is also influenced by international dynamics, such as the aforementioned migration, as well as phenomena like globalization and technological advances, all of which have modified the way individuals relate to their countries of origin and to other cultures.
However, national identities are important not only because they can affect the formal rights to which individuals have access, but also for their value in shaping individuals’ sense of belonging, as they mold perceptions that, in turn, impact those related to the idea of “deservingness of specific groups.” This last point can significantly influence the redistribution carried out by governments in various countries (Holtug and Uslaner, 2021, p. 3).
On the other hand, “social cohesion consists of the characteristics that unite members of a community in a way that promotes cooperation and other forms of pro-social interaction, and includes elements such as trust and solidarity.” In this regard, “an important concern of contemporary politics, which has also been expressed by many social scientists, is that immigration and diversity reduce social cohesion” (Holtug and Uslaner, 2021, p. 7).
As presented, it is reasonable to interpret that these phenomena are in constant evolution, challenging traditional conceptions of nation and citizenship. At the same time, the appeal to the sense of belonging inherent in its conceptualization plays—and has historically played—a fundamental role in social cohesion, the impact of which can be observed in the political orientation changes that various countries have undergone today, leading to phenomena such as polarization, populism, and anti-immigrant attitudes gaining new momentum, as seen, for example, in Europe, with political leaders like Viktor Orbán and the Fidesz party in Hungary, Alternative for Germany, or the National Front in France, whose discourse increasingly justifies distancing from a liberal political order.
The same can be said of the Chilean case, where the massive immigration that has occurred over the last ten years has led various political actors to modify their positions on the matter, with heated debates regarding regularization and expulsion processes, border control, the actions of the Armed Forces, and even the right to vote.
Motivated by the above, this theoretical framework will explore the concepts of national identity and social cohesion, as well as the relationship between the two. This exploration will be conducted from a general, descriptive, and comparative perspective, before identifying, in the Chilean case, those characteristics, particularities, and circumstances that have historically given rise to the described dynamics, extracting elements that enable their understanding today.
In any case, various theoretical approaches and international experiences that have addressed these types of conceptualizations and relationships will be analyzed, highlighting both the factors that favor an inclusive national identity and those that may lead to social fragmentation, while also accounting for the political moment we find ourselves in, both nationally and internationally.
