ETHNICITY, IDENTITY, AND STATE. UNDERSTANDING THE ETHNOPOLITICAL DYNAMICS AND CONFLICTS

This article examines the relationship between ethnicity, identity and the State in a globalised context, focusing on the territorial and geopolitical implications of ethnopolitical dynamics. It analyzes the concept of minority, considering different definitions and categorization challenges for ethnic, linguistic, or cultural minorities. The interplay between ethnicity and nationalism, dominance of certain ethnic groups, and the role of territorial and diasporic communities are discussed. Emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach, the article highlights the importance of understanding dynamic ethno-cultural identities for global political and geopolitical stability, concluding with the need for diverse perspectives to address challenges of ethnic diversity. The paper advances a spatialised geopolitical interpretation of ethnicity, highlighting the role of territory, scale and spatial relations in reshaping state sovereignty and ethnic conflict dynamics.