What are some motivating factors that prompt an individual to activate an identity and take action?

    Claasen’s,  “Group Entitlement, Anger and Participation in Intergroup Violence” focuses on why individuals from intergroups,

as well as outside individuals, participate in conflicts with outgroups. He argues that the choice to participate stems from the

emotion of intergroup anger which could lead to violence after conflict. This anger is triggered by comparing outgroups

entitlements and endowments to the intergroup. These differences in what is to be accepted, and what is reality in terms of

distribution of resources causes these conflicts and problems.

    The first motivating factor to take action to me has to be focused on the target or group of interest chosen to have conflict with.

I know there are some examples of intergroups who are in higher socioeconomic classes or social categories that attack or take

action against a lower class. However, when I think of these conflicts these outgroups have too much of something or are too

powerful, which in turn creates anger from these intergroups. I believe these violations of resources or entitlements allow

bystanders outside of the intergroup to become participants as well if the outgroup has clearly overstepped or overused these

privileges. The more egregious the divide between intergroup and outgroup entitlements the angrier everyone outside of that

outgroup becomes. An important factor to create and generate enough intergroup anger to cause an actual conflict or change

is having a salient group that individuals can relate to with values and emotions. 

    Comparing the collective action problem with this paradox of participation also made me think about why some individuals

participate. To me many times individuals join movements or “take action” to appease peers or create an identity they want

others to see. With larger intergroups or conflicts free-ride participation will always be a problem. It is interesting to think about

how identity or maybe even the lack of self-understanding can be related to this problem. 

    I also thought it was important the Claasen mention other factors that could cause intergroup anger or individual participation

as well. Previous intergroup violence and conflict with an outgroup can have a long lasting effect, especially if no true accepted

change was found from those past altercations. Also, social influence from peers and community leaders creates even more

anger and participation especially in today’s growing world of social media. It is easy to relate these factors to the Black Lives

Matter protests and the deserved buzz this movement is having on all platforms. Thousands of posts, links to petitions,

charities or organizations are creating more awareness and anger towards the government and police forces. This creates a

movement that to me expands the intergroups values and goals for bystanders to become participants. Not every participant

is coming from the same background or had to face the same daily struggles. Yet, that outgroups overuse of their entitlements

creates anger and resentment that stretches far from the core of the intergroup and their leaders. This long fight for equality

with the past fighting and disagreements has created an intergroup anger existing for generations. These intergroups also

benefit from having a symbol, image, or in today’s case video where they can rally around and fight for their deserved

entitlements and change.