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identities are socially constructed? Identity is constructed because it is a product of
human agency, action and speech – all of which change over time. Fearon and Laitin
(1999:847-848) argue that identity itself refers to particular social categories that an
individual member either takes a special pride in or views as a more or less unchangeable
and socially consequential attribute. As such, an individual’s label is distinguishable by
the rules of membership, which dictate who is and is not a member, through the expected
behavior of members and their characteristics –including beliefs, desires and moral
commitments – and by the social valuation of members relative to one another. An
individual’s identity is given sustenance and meaning through historical and personal
ceremonies and endeavors and through the acknowledgement of shared losses and
triumphs (Baranay, 1998:240). Also, these identities are “strengthened and maintained
through the enactments of contracts with others” (Eriksen, 1995:435). Yet, it should be
noted that an individual’s identity changes with the level of aggregation and society is
rife with cultural entrepreneurs who constantly offer new identity classifications in the
hope that by garnering followers, they will become the group’s tacit leaders (Laitin,
1998:11-14).
Individuals in every society have a multiplicity of identities based on contextual
circumstances. These identities are usually associated with a collage of discursive
practices, including language, physical behaviors, habits, and customs. “An individual’s
identities contribute to the creation and recreation of discourse and social cognitive
structure; at the same time, those identities are constrained, shaped, and empowered by
the very social products they have a hand in creating” (Hopf, 2002:1). Still, the
multiplicity of identity is contingent on the absence of external conflicts which may cause
Convention