Identity Politics and a New Civic Ethic in Europe: A Legal Analysis

Abstract

Identity politics, in its essence, can be defined as the activity of the state to build the solidarity of people within existing administrative-territorial boundaries. In other words, the term refers to various kinds of efforts by the state to strengthen the unity of its people and the formation of a national (or supranational) idea in civil society. However, besides the state, there are other actors (social agents) involved in identity politics, who are able to influence the shaping of perceptions of a community. These actors often compete with the state. In such situations, the state has extraordinary power and needs to protect its cultural sovereignty. In a situation where the state fails to act in implementing its own identity politics, there is a risk of strong external interference from other states or power elites, more often with the help of NGOs, which usually results in a loss of sovereignty.

The purpose of this article is to focus on this phenomenon and to identify the threats it poses to contemporary Christianity.