Lua Nova
Volume 1, Issue 97, 2016, Pages 53-80

Asylum seekers and modern sovereignty: Identity in difference [O solicitante de refúgio e a soberania moderna: A identidade na diferença] (Article)

Lacerda A.L. , Gama C.F.P.S.
  • a Instituto e Relações Internacionais, Pontifícia Universidade Católica-Rio, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
  • b Instituto de Relações Internacionais, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (IRI/UFT), Brazil, Instituto de Relações Internacionais (IRI/PUC)-Rio, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Abstract

In this article, we analyse the issue of identity of asylum seekers. We start with the concepts of sovereignty and borders (crucial to International Relations debates on identity and difference) in order to investigate modalities of violence and exclusion embroiled in the social relations of asylum seekers. We analysed the construction of her/his identity through everyday life encounters with difference. The article emphasizes the continuous negotiations of identity that asylum seekers experience since a border is crossed. We highlight two steps of those processes: firstly, the crossing of borders that implicates the declaration of a new identity; secondly, the everyday struggles that such persons indulge in, filtered through the testimonials of asylum seekers in Brazil.

Author Keywords

Difference sovereignty Asylum seekers Identity Borders

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84981289269&doi=10.1590%2f+0102-6445053-080%2f97&partnerID=40&md5=4c71e141be9e8bb1c330fa1b2096f79d
DOI: 10.1590/ 0102-6445053-080/97
ISSN: 01026445
Original Language: Portuguese