Two Approaches To Construct National Identity

The issue of national identity construction in multi-ethnic countries is an important issue in the study of political science,and it is also a major issue for multi-ethnic nations in the world.Therefore,the construction of national identity is of great significance both in theory and in reality in multi-ethnic countries.The construction of national identity generally has two main paths,which are politicization and culturalization.This article examines the views of scholars at home and abroad on whether national identity should be constructed using a politicized or cultural approach.Analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the path of politicization and culturalization,respectively.By analyzing the practical problems in the construction process of national identity in Canada and the United States in the past,it was concluded that the problem of constructing national identity cannot be solved simply by culturalizing or politicizing ethnic issues.The ethnic issue is a complex problem.The ethnic issue in the process of national identity construction in modern nation-states actually needs to integrate the issues of power distribution,interest appeal,and cultural equality.Furthermore,it proposes a realistic approach to the construction of national identity in light of the complexity of ethnic issues: First,it should promote the emergence of a common culture,that is,national culture through a culturally constructed path.Second,the common culture is conducive to the integration of ethnic groups with different national cultures,and thus effectively promote the integration of the ethnic groups.Third,the legitimacy of state power will directly affect the level of national identity,and in order to maintain the legitimacy of its power,it is necessary to establish and improve the democratic political system so as to ensure equal treatment of each individual and every nation.Finally,due to differences in the development of various ethnic groups,their members will have different social status,among which economic status is particularly important.Ethnic contradiction and conflicts must be resolved economically.When the nation has achieved certain development in the economy,it can narrow the gap between different ethnic groups in the economy,thus consolidating and strengthening national identity.