144 C Future research An intriguing avenue for future exploration emerged in Chapter 4 of this dissertation. This Chapter on homonationalism led to the follow-up question on how civil norms contribute to unraveling intergroup conflict in contemporary western immigration societies. Traditionally, scholars have categorized explanations for such conflicts into two major schools of thought: the economic scarcity-school and the in-group favoritism-school (Choi et al., 2022). In this context, I propose taking on a civilizationist perspective to understand how native citizens rationalize political inequalities and intergroup strife (Brubaker, 2017; Choi et al., 2022, van Oosten, 2024cdef). Civilizationism introduces the notion that individuals draw upon civil norms, ideas, and values to discredit cultural others, fueling intergroup tensions (Brubaker, 2017). Unlike the economic scarcity-school, which emphasizes resource competition, and the in-group favoritism-school, which focuses on social identity dynamics, civilizationism operates through assumptions about normative baggage carried by different groups. These assumptions, inherently political, legitimize intergroup conflict and portray certain groups as threats to civic life. Building upon the existing literature on femonationalism and homonationalism, which reveal how gender equality and gay rights are wielded to justify exclusion, the notion of civilizationism extends its scope. It encompasses various causes—such as secularism, individual freedoms, freedom of speech, and even animal rights—that can be used to delineate a civilized “us” from an uncivilized “them.” By examining the role of civilizationist narratives across different contexts, political institutions, and nationalistic narratives, future research can provide insights into how these justifications manifest and impact intergroup dynamics. While my research predominantly departed from the Social Identity Theory-school, future investigations should explore whether civilizationist attitudes influence the assessment of politicians by majorities and its implications for political representation in different institutional settings holds potential. Understanding the relationship between civilizationist justifications and conscious, explicit processing could uncover how these narratives are employed to validate biased beliefs. In conclusion, the proposed civilizationist-school opens a fresh avenue for exploring civil norms, intergroup conflict, and political inequalities in western immigration societies. Through investigating the internalization of civilizationist narratives, mapping their variations, and examining the role of conscious justifications, scholars can unveil these dynamics. By exploring these uncharted territories, we can gain a deeper understanding of how civilizationist attitudes underpin intergroup conflict and strive for a more harmonious coexistence.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjY0ODMw