Politicized identity converts a group from thing-in-itself to actor-for-itself

Evidence

Politics is typically defined as the constrained use of power by people over other people (Goodin & Klingemann, 1996, p. 7; see also M.Weber, 1919). The struggle between social groups for power within society can therefore be understood as political group activity. Accordingly, we suggest that politicized collective identity can be understood as a form of collective identity that underlies group members’ explicit motivations to engage in such a power struggle. At this point, it may be helpful to distinguish between political repercussions of collective identity and politicized collective identity proper. In many cases, behavior or action in terms of collective identity might have political repercussions in that it also affects the power structure within society. However, these political repercussions may or may not be intended by the collective actors. Take, for example, a religious group that “simply” wants its children to be taught in its own schools. It is not difficult to imagine that this acting out of a specific collective identity may have wider political repercussions in that it may challenge the educational system of society at large and, more generally, the power relations between church and state, although such challenges were not intended by the religious group in the first place. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4416 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: A group defined by an outsider’s look cannot achieve true autonomy — Fredric Jameson, Marxism and Form, 505; Activist identities must be reinvented as practice, not inherited as belief — Nina Eliasoph, Avoiding politics: how Americans…, 1269; States co-opt evolved kin and in-group tendencies to manufacture devoted actors. — Scott Atran, The Devoted Actor: Unconditional…, 27 (+20 more)

Broader Connections

• Identity is transformed by political action, not a precondition of it #complicates (0.85)
• Identity-based actions can reshape political power structures without being intended as political #complicates (0.75) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4416
• Identity politics freezes identity in false shapes for political convenience. #complicates (0.75)