This document discusses national identity and how it can be impacted by migration. It provides examples of Iceland, Singapore, and the UK to illustrate how national identity may be easier to define for some countries compared to others. Iceland is presented as having maintained a strong cultural identity and homogeneity due to its isolated history. In contrast, Singapore is described as a cultural melting pot with multiple influences that make its national identity more diluted. Factors like shared language, heritage, and traditions can contribute to stronger national identities, while mixing of cultures through migration can make identities less clearcut.

1. Identity and challenges

2. Starter
• Why does migration create conflict?
• Who is most likely to migrate
• Is there a time when some countries have too many
migrants in them.

3. Learning Objectives
• Assess the challenges to maintaining a national identity
• Evaluate the impacts that migration can have on national
identity
• Complete essay on national identity

4. Give reasons for the differences in foreign born residents.

5. Why is National Identity hard to define for
some countries?
• Think about many of the EU countries
• What do they have in common?
• A shared language?
• A shared heritage?
• A shared culture or traditions?
• A Nations identity relies on these and when these are
mixed or ‘diluted’ then a nations identity can be harder to
define than others.

6. Iceland – what do you know?
• It uses a different naming tradition
• Boys are named after their fathers ‘..sson’
• Daughters after their mothers ‘.. Dóttir’
• They have their own Language Day
• They have the highest rate of gender equality
• Why?

7. Iceland Key Figures

8. Iceland v Singapore
• Up until the 1900s Iceland remained physically isolated
• The allowed the community to grow a strong sense of
identity and cultural homogeneity
• This may be due to the tough life many would have had
• Many cultural traditions persist which maintain cultural
cohesion
• They share rotten shark at parties, originally it was eaten
to survive now as a heritage factor.
• These traditions remain popular at festivals and events to
this day
• What do we have in the UK or other cultures?

9. • In 2008 – McDonalds closed its restaurants in Iceland as
high prices deterred customers.
• The empty shops were taken over by a locally owned
company selling Icelandic produce
• Defining Identity can be easier in Iceland
• However Singapore is a world away
• It is seen as a cultural melting pot of Malay, Chinese,
Indian and European influences

10. Explain the impacts of culture
Singapore
Iceland
United
Kingdom

11. • Singapore was of strategic importance from 1926 -1946
for both the British military and trade
• It was made a free port (No taxes)
• This encouraged migration from nearby countries
• After independence in 1965 it became the fastest growing
‘Asian Economy’
• Now has the 3rd highest GDP globally at $82,000
• This wealth brings more migrants who bring their customs,
religions and festivals
• This dilutes Singapore’s own identity
Country Ethnicities
Singapore Chinese 74.3%,
Malay 13.4%,
Indian 9%, other
3.2%
UK white 87.2%,
black/African/Carib
bean 3%,
Asian/Asian British:
Indian 2.3%,
Asian/Asian British:
Pakistani 1.9%,
mixed 2%, other
3.7%
Iceland Icelandic: 94%,
population of
foreign origin 6%

12. So what impacts identity for a country
• Politics:
• Consumerism
• National foods
• National Holidays
• Cultural events

13. Read the Article on ‘Spanglish’
• Explain how this has impacted upon both Hispanic and American culture.
(6)
• How does Spanglish impact upon national identity? (6)
• Evaluate the view that national identity is easier to define for some
countries than for others (20)
• Examples to use
– Singapore
– Iceland
– UK
– Spain
– USA
– Strong sense of identity – Iceland and to some extent Spain
– Less strong UK
– USA
– Weak - Singapore

14. Essay
• Evaluate the view that national identity is easier to define
for some countries than for others (20)
• Examples to use
– Singapore
– Iceland
– UK
– Spain
– Strong sense of identity – Iceland and to some extent Spain
– Less strong UK
– Weak - Singapore