Identity and Social Inclusion in Benue State: A Critical Review of Four Related Concepts

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue III, March 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Identity and Social Inclusion in Benue State: A Critical Review of Four Related Concepts

Comfort Erima Ugbem
Benue State University, Markurdi, Nigeria

Abstract: – Identity is a critical aspect of social existence as it situates individuals and groups in a social setting. Beyond this, it is a tool used to create boundaries in social interaction thereby raising issues of exclusion and inclusion. Related to the subject of identity and exclusion is social solidarity which should characterize each social grouping in the society. The building block of social solidarity is very important as it has implications for cohesion and the survival of the group. Social solidarity also has implications for the strength of social capital which is important for integration, stability and development in society. These four concepts; social identity, social exclusion, social solidarity and social capital are examined in the light of their implications for economic, political and social existence of ethnic groups in Benue state. This paper suggests that a critical understanding of these concepts is needed for understanding social relations and addressing violent and non violent conflict among ethnic groups in Benue state as well as enhancing human and social development and recommends the integration of these concepts in development discourse as this would signify a departure from modernisation which regarded traditional relationships as impediments to development and dependency which defined social relations in relation to the means of production.

Key Words: social identity, social exclusion, social solidarity, social capital, ethnic groups

I. INTRODUCTION

One of the most undaunted challenges most African states have had to grapple with in recent times is the surge and resurgence of identity constructions, transformations and conflicts. The “identity movement” has dominated social dominated social discourse and as such created a forum for many nation states to begin to question their nationhood or statehood. Many nations’ states in Africa have been involved in violent and non violent conflict which has roots in identity constructions, reconstructions mobilizations and contests. The potential for existence of many nation states like Sudan Central African Republic and even Nigeria is being threatened over issues of identity. Many explanations have been given for the rise in identity, consciousness, transformations, contests and the identity movement in general.

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