Negotiating Identity Conflicts in a Fragmenting World Order

Rapid systemic change within and across nations disrupts traditional identity formation processes, and how identity groups manage their differences. Fragmentation a breakdown at many levels along many divides is the consequence of a world now of multiple identity groups making maximalist claims on their governments and each other. At an international level a new tripolar imperialism is in evidence, globalisation is fading in the face of US tariffs and the capacity of the United Nations to deliver to its mission has been fundamentally eroded. At the level of individual states after a brief surge, democracy has been in retreat for two decades. Some states are building physical and cyber walls to keep ‘others’ out; some are actively pushing vulnerable groups out; some are refusing minorities autonomy; some minorities resist majority governance. Many governments struggle to achieve policy coherence as a divided citizenry competes for sectional recognition. Traditional religions are torn by questions of sexual orientation, the role of women in churches and over human rights. Both traditionally dominant groups and minorities claim discrimination and feel under threat. Intolerance reduces interest in mutual accommodation … and negotiation. Some relearning, and rethinking is needed about diplomacy, the design of political systems and identity accommodation in a world being reshaped by cyber communications and AI.

Author Biography

Mark Anstey is a professor emeritus of Nelson Mandela University in South Africa
Paul Meerts is deputy general-director emeritus of Clingendael Institute in The Hague

The editors are members of the Processes of International Negotiations (PIN) Steering Committee at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP: www.pin-negotiation.org)