Abstract

When we deal with the concept of identity in political sociology (e.g. national identity, regional identity, etc.) we have first to ask some general question about the concept of identity and distinguish between numerical identity (which encompasses identity through time) and specific or type identity. Some theses can be advanced about identity in political sociology: 1) The identity in question is type identity; 2) This type identity is an artefact; 3) This artefactual identity concerns only those traits that are accidental, i.e. not essential for their bearer; 4) The concerned traits should be either non-relational or relational but implying non-relational traits; 5) in order to define the identity of a group, the traits should be choose not only so that all the group members possess them (weak identity) but also so that only the group members possess them (strong identity).