Vatandaşlık faydalarının yerinden edilmiş toplulukların kimlik algısına etkisi: Lübnandaki Filistinliler ve Ermenilerle karşılaştırmalar

This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between citizenship benefits and national identity acquisition through a within-case comparative examination of Lebanon. Through structured interviews with four groups it shows that more citizenship benefits tend to increase the identification of displaced individuals with their host country. In particular, the research draws on field work in Beirut, which involved interviews conducted with four groups: naturalized Armenians with full citizenship benefits; naturalized Palestinians with less citizenship benefits than naturalized Armenians; Identified (ID) Palestinians by the UN but live in Beirut and who have even less citizenship benefits; and Identified (ID) Palestinians by the UN and who live in Bourj Al Barajneh Camp and who have the lowest amount of citizenship benefits. The thesis argues that citizenship benefits tend to increase national identity acquisition among displaced individuals because, as the interviews suggest, displaced individuals with less (more) citizenship benefits have less (more) ontological security. Two consequences follow from this. First, people with less citizenship benefits and thus more ontological insecurity are psychologically less resourceful to embrace multiple identities. Thus, they tend to view the national identity of the host country as rival to their original national identity. Second, as the interviews show, although the displaced individuals view the citizenship of the host country as instrumental, nevertheless they display more identification with the host country as they gain more citizenship benefits. It is argued that this is because more citizenship benefits make them psychologically more resourceful to embrace multiple identities, whether this happens consciously or subconsciously. Consequently, they begin to see the national identity of the host country as compatible to their original national identity, which makes it easier for them to embrace the host country identity.Keywords: National Identity, Citizenship Benefits, Displaced Communities, Ontological Security, Rival/Compatible Identities