Journal of National Studies
Year:2006 | Volume:6 | Issue:4 (24)|Papers Count:6

This research studies the relation between social capital and its role in inter-ethnic relations in terms of national identity between the young Kurdish people of Mahabad and the young Azeri speaking of Tabriz. It will also compare and contrast these two groups by the variables above mentioned. The result proves that the level of national identity of the respondents is quite high. The level of social capital of the groups studied is low and the level of inter-ethnic relations is much lower. A tendency toward other ethnic groups boosts the level of inter-ethnic relations and both variables have positive effects on the level of national identity of the young people. The social capital can improve and can have a positive effect on the relations between different ethnic groups and the national identity.      

It seems that, despite all the serious differences among the littoral countries of the Caspian Sea, the two countries of Iran and Turkmanstan are closer to each other than the others. One of the ways of consolidating the social and political relations among these countries can be through identifying common cultural and social backgrounds. This research attempts to compare and contrast the socio-cultural behaviors of the peoples of Iran and Turkmanstan. The study was carried out through survey research method. In this research, 166 people from Turkmanstan and 508 people from Iran (the Golestan province) were randomly chosen and studied. The most important tool used for this research was a "questionnaire" which was filled out through interviews. In order to achieve the goals of the research, its results are given in four parts: 1- An exemplary society 2- A description and analysis of the information related to cultural variables 3- A description and analysis of the information related to religious variables 4- A description and analysis of the information related to social variables      

National identity is nowadays one of the most important aspects of culture in society. For this reason poetry which is a significant element of culture can be a mirror to the aspirations of the people of a country. And this can by itself demonstrate how important a role the poets of a society play in the formation of identity and culture. World-famous Persian poets have introduced the Iranian culture and identity to the people of the world. The present research aims at reviewing national identity in contemporary (after 1979) Iranian poetry. Therefore, after showing the concepts and meanings of national identity, its relation with national identity will be studied. This work will also try to clarify the chief concepts of national identity and will attempt to introduce the ways through which national identity can be consolidated.    

The chief hypothesis of the current research is an attempt at establishing the anomie (social agitation) potential rate in Kermanshah. The social community in this research includes the family heads of different sections of the city. The capacity of the sample is 400 and in choosing the samples the multi-phase Random sampling method was utilized. Interview is the method used for collecting data. The research shows that: 1) the highest levels of anomie are formal norms and semiformal norms respectively. 2) The anomie tendency rate (anomic behavior) among respondents is medium. 3) Most anomic conditions variables studied within a theoretical framework have interrelationship and relation with anomic behavior. Firstly, a mental assessment of the economic condition affects the three variables of aim, tolerating the condition and hope in the future. These three variables can, in turn, inf1uence the lack of social confidence and consideration. The research also made it evident that religious beliefs play an important role in increasing social trust and decreasing anomie in society. The feeling of deprivation and economic inequality lead to social distrust and the increase of anomic behavior.      

The current research paper attempts to demonstrate that Internet, in addition to being a source of information, can cause changes in the worldview of its users. An Internet user by switching his computer enters a virtual world and this virtual world can facilitate the condition for him to create newer forms of identity. This can in turn lead to a multiplicity of identity and the growth of individuality in a person. To the author of tills research, the common theories about identity are not able to explain this issue. Therefore, the researcher attempts to use a ret1ective theory in explaining the effects of Internet on identity in industrial and developing countries.