TOPIC 7

NATIONALISM

7.1. Introduction term nationalism = among the most difficult to define and clarify with accuracy; a plethora of definitions shows that theres a lack of an all-encompassing meaning implicitly touched on by most renaissance thinkers like Renan, Rousseau, Kant, Weber, Durkheim, etc. Twin-founding fathers of the intellectual discourse on nationalism = Hans Kohn and Carleton Hayes Kohns definition = a state of mind, in which the supreme loyalty of the individual is felt to be due to the nation-state Ernest Gellner = primarily a political principle, wich holds that the political (state) and national (nation) unit should be in congruent Anthony Smith = an ideological movement for attaining and maintaining autonomy, unity, and identity on behalf of a population deemed by some of its members to constitute an actual or potential nation Definitions emphasises nationalisms multi-dimensional nature it is i) political; ii) socio-cultural, and iii) psychological Nationalism = a powerful and pervasive yet enigmatic force in modern world; a primary political identity of most people

7.2. Characteristics, Meanings and Types mainly viewed as a product of modernity (from 18th century European history) a nebulous phenomenon = intrinsically psychological; socio-cultural, and profoundly political in essence; also emotional and instrumental in disposition Chan & Bridge = meaning of nationalism changes with issue, time, space, and target or object (2006:30) synonymous with, and inseparable from the concepts of i) Nation; ii) nation-state; iii) national identity fundamentally concerns the nation another nebulous term due to ambiguous relationship with other kindred concepts like race, ethnicity, and the tendency to wrongly be equated with the concept of the state

 Basic difference between nation and state nation has substance not inherent in state, namely a feeling, a passion, a legitimating power that the word nationalism possesses to an unequal degree Nation = a people who a) share demographic and cultural similarities; b) possess a feeling of community (i.e. we/us versus they/others); c) want self-determination Nation = intangible; only exist when members think it does Nation-state = nations with political boundaries/territorial selfdetermination and sovereignty Differences between nation-state and state-nation Nationalism = connects individuals , their sense of community, and their political identity in contra-indication to other nations Links = forged when individuals become i) sentimentally attached to homeland; 2) gain a sense of identity and self-esteem through their national identification, and 3) are motivated to help their country (Druckman 1994:44). Hobsbawm and Rangers see nationalism = invented traditions Zheng = nationalism comprises i) institution and ii) identity (two core components of nation-state Nationalism = not salient when express by individuals in its raw and disorganised form; only becomes powerful after it is organised and express collectively by institutions (state = foremost institution in modern international society) Nationalism = national identity (emphasises the individuality and distinctiveness of a nation-state) Identity = an interpretation of the Self that establishes what and where the person is in both social and psychological terms Identity does not appears in exclusivity; only exists in societies, which defines and organise them, and it exists and defines only in relations to other identities National identity = collective sentiment shared by members of a perceived nation i.e. imagined community (Anderson 1991) As creator of national identity, nationalism situates a nation-state (self) vis-a-vis other national actors/states (Others) within the international society/system National Identity = derives from common/basic forms of identity i.e. shared culture/religion, and primordial features like common descent

 Such attributes = suitable in forging national identity in homogenous society; but divisive and obstructive in formation of nation-states with heterogenous/polarised societies However, national identity = can transcend such divisive features, if superseded by peoples consciousness of, and devotion/affection for its nationality/sense of belonging to the nation-state Hence, use of myths, symbols, and rituals = essential in national identity creation, to cloak internal differences, while differentiating members of one nation from others Such markers can generate extraordinary emotional intensity towards nation, where strength, courage, and resilience are derived, and under whose name they participate in heroic and barbaric actions to defend the national interests In its radical manifestation, national identity = supreme loyalty for people who are prepared to die for their nation International context = nationalism legitimates the Westphalian society if nation-state doctrine; state as sovereign authority represents and links nation/society to the international system Nationalism = Janus-faced; can be either constructive or destructive force Constructive force = modern history saw nationalism playing key role in decolonisation and nation-building processes, and spuring economic development i.e., Third World; Japan after the war Destructive force = malignant force fuelling international conflicts and human tragedies; i.e. imperialism; world wars; ethno-religious and genocidal conflicts; i.e. Rwanda; Balkan; Iraq, etc. Particularism = tendency to invoke ultra-nationalism, xenophobia, chauvinism = driving force of belligerent behaviour Two common forms of nationalism: i) state/official/elite-driven nationalism; ii) popular/grassroots nationalism Characteristics of state/official/elite-driven nationalism: i) Top-down orientation ii) Pragmatic iii) reactive iv) National interest-driven v) Instrumental vi) For domestic consumption Characteristics of popular nationalism: i) Bottom-up orientation

ii) iii) iv) v) vi)

Idealistic Spontaneous Virulent Intellectually coherent Critical of official nationalism

7.4 Nationalism in Reality: Issues and evaluation a) Idea of nation-state = more myth than reality Five basic patterns of fitting between nation and states i) One state, One nation ii) One state, Multiple Nations iii) One nation, Multiple state iv) One nation, no state v) Multiple nations, multiple states, i.e. Afghanistan Pashtun, Tajiks, Uzbeks. Turkmens b) Nationalism as both Builders and Destroyers Janus-faced nature Beneficent face : i) nationalism promotes democracy (popular sovereignty) ii) discourages imperialism iii) allows for economic development iv) allows diversity and experimentation Troubled Face of Nationalism i) Lack of concern for others (ethnocentrism) ii) Xenophobia (fear and suspicion towards foreigners) iii) Oppression and aggression

7.5. Countervailing Tendencies a) Regionalism i.e. EU (1993) (from ECSC, to EEC, to EC) EU has Parliament; European Court of Justice, and EU bureaucracy; single market and currency Euro b) Cosmopolitanism c) Globalisation CURRENT TRENDS i) Secession ii) Nationalist conflicts iii) Irredentism iv) postcolonialism