Open AccessThe identity/alterity nexus in international relations: two cases of encounter with difference
Author(s) -
Erica Resende
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
civitas - revista de ciências sociais
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.161
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 1984-7289
pISSN - 1519-6089
DOI - 10.15448/1984-7289.2020.2.34347
Subject(s) - alterity , nexus (standard) , identity (music) , politics , sociology , isolation (microbiology) , ontology , state (computer science) , social psychology , epistemology , gender studies , political science , law , psychology , aesthetics , philosophy , microbiology and biotechnology , algorithm , computer science , biology , embedded system
The aim of this article is to survey the implications of the identity/alterity nexus in international relations (IR) as related to processes of othering for understanding conflict and violence in global politics. I will offer what I could call an ontology of difference in global politics, where I stress the reliance of understanding othering practices in global politics, as I explore two cases from which I ask the following questions: How do identity and identity formation processes occur and develop at different levels, times and dimensions? How do discourses of differentiation and identification help construct state identities and interests? Following Emmanuel Lévinas, I will argue that by seeking ways to reach out towards the Other, we free ourselves from the restraints of selfishness, from indifference and isolation. Finding and coming to terms with a composition of the Self that also includes the Other enables us to take responsibility for him/her inasmuch it prevents the conditions for violence and conflict.