Understanding Peace and Conflict Through Social Identity Theory

This volume brings together perspectives on social identity
and peace psychology to explore the role that categorization plays in both conflict
and peace-building. To do so, it draws leading scholars from across the world
in a comprehensive exploration of social identity theory and its application to
some of the world¿s most pressing problems, such as intrastate conflict,
uprising in the middle east, the refugee crisis, global warming, racism and peace building. A crucial theme of the
volume is that social identity theory affects all of us, no matter whether we
are currently in a state of conflict or one further along in the peace process.

The volume is organized into two sections. Section 1 focuses
on the development of social identity theory. Grounded in the pioneering work
of Dr. Henri Tajfel, section 1 provides the reader with a historical background
of the theory, as well as its current developments. Then, section 2 brings
together a series of country case studies focusing on issues of identity across
five continents. This section enables
cross-cultural comparisons in terms of methodology and findings, and encourages
the reader to identify general applications of identity to the understanding of
peace as well as applications that may be more relevant in specific contexts.
Taken together, these two sections provide a contemporary and diverse account
of the state of social identity research in conflict situations and peace
psychology today.
It is evident that
any account of peace requires an intricate understanding of identity both as a
cause and consequence of conflict, as well as a potential resource to be
harnessed in the promotion and maintenance of peace. Understanding Peace and Conflict Through Social Identity Theory: Contemporary
Global Perspectives aims to help
achieve such an understanding and as such is a valuable resource to those
studying peace and conflict, psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists,
public policy makers, and all those interested in the ways in which social
identity impacts our world.