Navigating England’s identity crisis: the shaping of a progressive national identity

Sammanfattning

This thesis explores the contemporary cultural and political influences that both compete for and contribute to the shaping of England’s national identity. Amidst recent politicisation of nationhood and belonging, counter-narratives to prevailing regressive discourses have emerged and this thesis aims to elevate the progressive discourses that better represent modern-day, multicultural England. The underlying argument is that shaping identity is a collective endeavour, influenced by both politics and culture, drawing upon Micheal Billig’s theory of Banal Nationalism that a nation is reproduced by subtle reminders in everyday life. Therefore, this thesis uses a critical discourse analysis on Keir Starmer’s political statements as well as cultural artifacts exemplified by Gareth Southgate’s letter ‘Dear England’ and Stormzy’s Glastonbury performance in 2019. The findings reveal that each of them has an influence on the development of a progressive national identity, underscoring the significance of bottom-up as well as top-down constructions. Moreover, they exemplify the scholarly understanding of national identities as fluid, contingent and unstable, as each figure constructs, challenges and negotiates various aspects of England’s identity. Although their articulations are different due to their distinct social contexts and intended audiences, they share an advocacy for a cohesive national identity that reflects the present-day citizens of England, and their counter-narratives are based on themes of solidarity, inclusion, and shared responsibility. Moreover, each discourse encapsulates the nuances on identity in society by engaging with both regressive and progressive discourses, while strongly arguing for the latter.