The Construction of Collective Identity

Abstract

A general typological model for the analysis of collective identity is outlined and applied to the case of German and Japanese national identity. Primordial, civic and cultural codes of boundary construction are described with respect to their logic of exclusion, corresponding ritual etc. German national identity is presented as a cultural project carried by the 'Bildungsburgertum', whereas the Japanese identity is presented as a combination of primordial and civic elements.