Navigating Identity, Immigration, and Democracy: Inclusion, Boundaries, and Belonging in Europe and Beyond

Abstract

This panel explores the interplay between identity, immigration, and democratic institutions, focusing on how processes of inclusion and exclusion are shaped by shifting social, cultural, and political boundaries in Europe and beyond. In both academic and political discourse, “identity” remains a deeply contested concept—evoked to unify, but equally capable of dividing. Particularly in democratic contexts, identity is meant to support shared values and pluralism, while upholding universal rights and freedoms. Yet, it can also be instrumentalized to draw hard lines between “us” and “them,” often reinforcing populist and exclusionary narratives. To move beyond the static and sometimes reductive notion of “identity,” this panel critically engages with the more dynamic and situational concept of identification. This perspective opens space for examining how sociopolitical actors—across ethnic, religious, gendered, or class-based lines—construct alliances, assert belonging, or resist marginalization in relation to democratic institutions and welfare systems. Immigration adds another layer of complexity to these dynamics. It reshapes political landscapes, challenges existing social boundaries, and compels states and societies to rethink the relationship between citizenship, welfare, and representation. As immigrant communities negotiate their place within national and European political spheres, they confront both opportunities for participation and structural barriers rooted in race, class, and legal status. These tensions directly impact social cohesion, political mobilization, and the resilience of democratic institutions. By examining how identity and immigration intersect with political participation, class dynamics, and welfare policy, the panel seeks to address interrelated questions such as: • How do identities (based on race, religion, gender, sexuality, class) become politicized across different European contexts? • In what ways do processes of identification shape social inclusion or exclusion, and how do they influence collective political action? • What strategies and repertoires do political actors use to mobilize identities, particularly during moments of crisis or democratic discontent? • How does immigration challenge or reinforce existing welfare structures and democratic solidarities? • What conceptual and methodological tools are needed to better integrate the study of identity and immigration into political science research? We welcome contributions that address these issues from comparative, theoretical, or case-specific perspectives, offering insights into how identification processes operate across various political, social, and institutional contexts.

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