AILING INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES AND NATION-STATES, OR THE ROOT CAUSES OF OTHERING
Elena Klátiková
Studia Politica Slovaca, 2025, vol. 18, no. 1, p. 27-44
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31577/SPS.2025-1.2
Abstract
The paper aims to explore Othering, a process of dehumanising groups and individuals based on their differences. As has been observed, in addition to power dynamics, it results from a general sense of uncertainty, where fear and aggression prevail in heterogeneous encounters. Through creating Others, individuals and groups legitimise their alleged supremacy, fostering divisiveness and power imbalance. It is the author’s contention that due to its complexity, the problem of Othering requires a systemic, integrative perspective; hence, in addition to exploring othering as part of identity-formation, the paper discusses the role of the media, territorial attachments, community, culture and communication in creat- ing the Other at individual and group levels using an analytical approach. The paper also draws on the author’s first-hand experience with Othering on multiple levels and her previous research. In addition to offering some suggestions as to how to sensitize general population to the problem, the author proposes that fair resource distribution, support of marginalised groups, concerted and consistent engagement of decision-makers, businesses, media and educators in promoting positive values, inclusion and empathy, streamlining efforts to combat global threats, getting rid of white-centrism and bringing questions of morality into public discourse could help heal the problems facing humanity.
Keywords
Othering, identity, group belonging, disembodiment, aggression, territoriality, media, glocalization
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