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January 2004

Wednesday, January 28th, 4pm
Ralph Fevre, Professor of Social Research, Cardiff School of Social Sciences; Cardiff University, UK
"What Motivates Active Citizenship Amongst Politically Marginalized Groups in Britain?"
Lecture synopsis: "The identity politics of gender, race, origin/ethnicity and sexuality have been less important in Britain than in the US but there have been some recent British initiatives designed to engage the organisations of minorities in decision making. Survey data from a study in Wales suggest that people who understand their participation in terms of the politics of identity are actually among the least participatory members of these organisations. Those who have the highest rates of participation are much more likely to get involved for social reasons and their participation is bolstered by one of two, quite different, normative patterns: one pattern emphasises a moral duty to participate for the benefit of others while the other emphasises cultural nationalism. In the latter case importance is attached to a (Welsh) national and linguistic identity which may not be translatable into the familiar terms of identity politics. In fact, in their different ways, both of these profiles of higher participation recall older traditions of active citizenship which were founded in religious faith. While the politics of identity appears to produce civic partners for governments anxious to demonstrate their commitment to modern and inclusive governance, it may nevertheless fail to facilitate engagement by these more active citizens. Sponsored by the Center for British Studies."

Ralph Fevre is Professor of Social Research and Deputy Director of the Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK. His latest book, The New Sociology of Economic Behaviour, has just been published by Sage.

Harris Room, Moses Hall
For more information please contact Heidi Sutton



IES Tea Time
Faculty, students, and staff are all welcome! Our informal tea time is a good opportunity for friends and colleagues to get together for good conversation and a real cup of tea.

IES Seminar Room, 201 Moses Hall
For more information please contact Heidi Sutton