NonNationalist Loyalties It can be difficult for people

Non-Nationalist Loyalties

• It can be difficult for people to balance their devotion to their religion and devotion to their country • Further, conflicts between people who have different religions but live in the same country can arise • Religious loyalties play a huge role in conflict in the Middle East – especially between Palestinians and Israelis

• The region where one lives can represent a contending loyalty • Regionalism – an ideology that focuses on the issues and interests of a specific region (rather than a nation or nation-state) and attempts to increase the influence of the region can lead to movements for sovereignty, independence, etc. • What is considered best for the country as a whole may have negative consequences for a specific region (ex: NEP’s impact on Alberta in 1980 s)

• People’s feelings of loyalty to their race or culture may conflict with the loyalties they feel toward the country – Especially in countries that encourage assimilation rather than multiculturalism or pluralism • People’s loyalties toward their own political ideologies may conflict with their feelings of nationalism – Examples: - an NDP supporter living in Canada w/ a Conservative majority gov’t; Americans who were Anti-George W. Bush but still feel loyal to the country itself

• People’s class loyalties may conflict with their feelings of nationalism • People may not have a sense of belonging if they feel they are not a part of a country because of feelings of separation and alienation caused by their social status • The demands for change to social status or for greater economic opportunity can cause conflict and violence – Example: Occupy Wall Street protests