Discourse Analysis of Ethnic Identity and National Identity among Elites (Case Study of Elites in Fars Province)

Increasing local and ethnic awareness has become doubly important in modern times; In particular, while some believe that factors such as globalization exacerbate ethnic feelings and undermine national identity, some argue that increasing ethnic tendencies does not conflict with individuals' national identities and can help strengthen them. Today, experimental testing of each of these theories in societies with ethnic and linguistic diversity is a necessity because the adoption of identity policies in such societies, especially Iran, requires constant monitoring of the tendency of the active population, especially the elite youth to national and ethnic identity. The purpose of this study is to analyze the discourse of ethnic identity and national identity among the elites of Fars province. The method of this research is descriptive-qualitative that through interview tools, seeks to study and recognize the discourse governing the attitude of ethnic and national identity of the elites of Fars province, identify the content of its discourse in relation to governance and also compare within groups their discourse order. Findings from research on the cultural context of discourse suggest that most of these elites are associated with the adoption of an identity of resistance to rule. Ethnic identity is also superior to their national identity and has a total of four different types of discourse order. Islamic discourse with Islamic / ethnic approach and Islamic approach, artistic discourse with two artistic and ethnic / cultural approaches, scientific discourse with a realistic view of ethnic identity and socialist discourse with human / ethnic approach, based on research findings, other categories according to There are also components of ethnic or national identity. The end result is that each individual's identity discourse is in relation to these two aspects with his dominant approach and worldview and in relation to the field of power and politics.