Communicating Identity in the Ottoman Empire and Some Implications for Contemporary States

Abstract

Do premodern states have anything to suggest to governments managing their identity in this era of communication volatility? The techniques used by the Ottoman Empire repay close study. The Empire lasted for more than six centuries, almost living up to its imperial motto: “The Eternal State.” It faced the problem of cultivating an identity for a remarkable range of geographic, religious, cultural, and ethnic identities. How did it project an identity strong enough to counterbalance potential internal stresses? We investigate the communication techniques used by the Ottomans and the relationship between centralized and decentralized identities in their Empire. Finally, we discuss the pressures on modern governments created by the collision between information technology, globalization, and current “Westphalian” approaches to identity. We offer alternative approaches for modern states and superstates like the European Union, seeking to create or renew their identity with their diverse inhabitants.