This paper explores the dynamics of nation-building policies and the conditions under which a state can promote a shared national identity on its territory. A forward-looking central government that internalizes identity dynamics shapes them by choosing the level of political centralization. Homogenization attempts are constrained by political unrest and by the intergenerational transmission of identities within the family. We find nation-building efforts are generally characterized by fast interventions. We show that a zero-sum conflict over resources pushes long-run dynamics toward homogeneous steady states and extreme levels of (de)centralization. We also find the ability to foster a common identity is highly dependent on initial conditions, and that country-specific historical factors can have a lasting impact on the long-run distribution of identities.

中文翻译：

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民族认同的建构

本文探讨了国家建设政策的动态以及一个国家可以在其领土上促进共享民族认同的条件。一个具有前瞻性的中央政府通过选择政治集权的水平来内化身份动态。同质化尝试受到政治动荡和家庭内部身份代际传递的限制。我们发现国家建设努力通常以快速干预为特征。我们表明，对资源的零和冲突将长期动态推向同质稳态和（去）中心化的极端水平。我们还发现培养共同身份的能力高度依赖于初始条件，