Cyber Space, the Challenge of Ethnic Identification and the solutions for the State of Islamic Republic

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD in Political Science, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Multi-ethnic societies and their national identities face major challenges today, one of the most important of which is the challenge of intensifying ethnic identification. In general, several factors play a role in creating this challenge, one of the most important of which is the growth and expansion of cyberspace as a tool of the globalization process. The claim here is that cyberspace, with its functions and facilities, has been able to strengthen ethnic identities in multiethnic societies, thereby weakening the national identity in these societies.The important point here is that Iran, as a multi-ethnic society, is currently facing this challenge, as cyberspace has also affected Iranian ethnic groups and a significant number of members of these groups are using this space to strengthen their ethnic identities, which has negatively affected their memory of belonging to their national identities.In general, this issue necessitates the adoption of appropriate and efficient policies by the State of the Islamic Republic of Iran in order to meet the challenge of intensifying ethnic identity and strengthening the tendency of members of Iranian ethnic groups towards their national identity and consolidating Iran's national identity. Otherwise, the territorial integrity and national identity of the country will be severely damaged. Accordingly, the main questions of the article are as follows: how cyberspace has been able to challenge the national identity of Iran by intensifying ethnic identification among members of Iranian ethnic groups? and how the State of the Islamic Republic can deal with this challenge?
Methodology
The research method is descriptive-analytic and the method of collecting resources and information is based on library findings. In general, the present study finds answers to the research questions by collecting information and using the findings of research.
Result and discussion
The findings of the study show that despite the diversity and multi-ethnicity of Iran and the absence of conflict and incompatibility between national identity and ethnic identities throughout the history of this country, cyberspace has been able to influence the tendency of members of groups. Ethnicity in Iran has a negative impact on national identity, intensifying the ethnic identification, and in turn, reducing their sense of belonging to the national identity. In addition to this issue, lack of comprehensive development of ethnic areas in Iran has also played an effective role in motivating members of ethnic groups to use cyberspace to strengthen the ethnic identity.In general, cyberspace has allowed members of Iranian ethnic groups to use it in order to organize themselves in cyberspace and strengthen their ethnic identity by overcoming government oversight. These groups have been able to strengthen and highlight their ethnic identity by connecting with other ethnic groups around the world. This situation has increased their attachment to their ethnic identity, and has negatively affected their sense of belonging to the national identity.According to this article, in the absence of a rational response by the State of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this situation will cause institutional and peaceful activities and actions to be replaced by non-civil and violent activities and actions, and as a result, the existence of Iranian territory and national identity will be threated. From the point of view of this article, this Iranian State can adopt policies such as: rational confrontation with the process of globalization and cyberspace, implementing a consistent policy towards the ethnicity (the unity based on plurality), improving the quality of life of people in ethnic areas, providing opportunities for more active participation of ethnic groups, adapting a more effective policies in education system, and adopting a rational policy in the field of radio and television media to face with the challenge of intensifying ethnic identity, thereby helping to strengthen the tendency of members of Iranian ethnic groups towards their national identity and strengthen and strengthen Iran's national identity.
Conclusions
Globalization as a coherent and integrated process has been able to influence and challenge national identity in multiethnic and diverse societies through its tools, including cyberspace. In fact, cyberspace with its functions and facilities has been able to strengthen ethnic identities in multiethnic societies, and thus has led to the weakening of national identity in these societies, which includes Iran. Of course, the important point here is that the lack of comprehensive development of ethnic areas is also effective in motivating members of ethnic groups to use cyberspace to strengthen their ethnic identity. Cyberspace has given members of Iranian ethnic groups the opportunity to use it to organize themselves in cyberspace and strengthen their ethnic identity by overcoming government oversight. On the one hand, this has increased their attachment to their ethnic identity and on the other hand, it has had a negative effect on their sense of belonging to their national identity. The important point here is that the continuation of this situation will have adverse and irreparable consequences for the national identity and territorial existence of Iran. Accordingly, the State of the Islamic Republic, by adopting rational and effective policies, can weaken the current trend of ethnic identity in the country and, in turn, increase in the tendency of members of ethnic groups towards their national identity and strengthen Iran's national identity.

Keywords


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