Social Cohesion and the Politics of Belonging

Abstract

Throughout this book, drawing on our findings, we conceptualised social cohesion as the ability of individuals and groups to negotiate the inequalities and conflicts structuring the places they live in on terms which they consider satisfactory and positive. Both narratives of belonging to place and local histories of migrancy, diversity and mobility are key to the unfolding of social cohesion. They frame the way in which individuals and groups are able to negotiate social cohesion. The following questions inform this chapter, which will explore experiences of belonging to Britain and understandings of social cohesion. How do people express their sense of belonging in Britain? How does this impact on their experiences and understandings of social cohesion? In what ways is the arrival of new migrant groups implicated in this interplay? First, we will examine belonging in Britain, in terms of the everyday experiences of the three main categories of people we have been addressing throughout the book: majority ethnic long-term settled residents; minority ethnic long-term settled residents and new arrivals. Second, we will explore the relationship between the understandings of social cohesion and the local prevalence of specific narratives and self representations.