UNDERSTANDING NATIONALISM Chapter 1 Understandings of Nation and

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UNDERSTANDING NATIONALISM Chapter 1: Understandings of Nation and Nationalism

UNDERSTANDING NATIONALISM Chapter 1: Understandings of Nation and Nationalism

Concept of Nation � � is diverse and has many understandings Defined as it

Concept of Nation � � is diverse and has many understandings Defined as it relates to the people or citizens of a country �a group of people who feels connections to one another in some way “…. simplest statement that can be made about a nation is that it is a body of people who feel that they are a nation. ”

� An internal connection to others created through certain commonalities: � Ethnic background ancestry

� An internal connection to others created through certain commonalities: � Ethnic background ancestry � Cultural values and beliefs � History � Language (s) and communication � Religious or spiritual beliefs � Geography � Politics and citizenship

Different Perspectives � Ernest Renan – 19 th Century French Philosopher � History “have

Different Perspectives � Ernest Renan – 19 th Century French Philosopher � History “have done great things together and wish to do more” � Geography “consent and desire to live together”

� Antonine Maillet – Acadian Author B. 1929 � Ethnic background ancestry � Language

� Antonine Maillet – Acadian Author B. 1929 � Ethnic background ancestry � Language and communication �“part of the international fraternity of Francophone nations, and that it therefore has its own place in the world”

� N. S. Rajaram – Indian Mathematician � History “an age long spiritual concept

� N. S. Rajaram – Indian Mathematician � History “an age long spiritual concept of freedom and inclusiveness” � Douglas Coupland – Canadian Pop Culture Critic and Novelist � Geography “over the mountains… across the prairies…… lunar gorges of Newfoundland

Nation and Nation-State � � What is the difference between these two concepts? Nation

Nation and Nation-State � � What is the difference between these two concepts? Nation relates to something a person feels in their mind � Internal connections to others

� Nation-state is more concrete � Is a territory with: Internationally recognized boundaries Politically

� Nation-state is more concrete � Is a territory with: Internationally recognized boundaries Politically organized body of people under a sovereign government

� � Sovereign is defined as being recognized by other nation states as having

� � Sovereign is defined as being recognized by other nation states as having the right to govern themselves independently Nation states are often countries � BUT: Many different nations can exist within them

� � Nation states have common legal and moral beliefs Not necessarily common linguistic,

� � Nation states have common legal and moral beliefs Not necessarily common linguistic, ethnic, or cultural connections

For example: Canada � � Belief in democratic government The protection of rights and

For example: Canada � � Belief in democratic government The protection of rights and freedoms described in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms For example: language rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion � Belief in the principles of a mixed economy

� � Nation-states also provide individuals with a sense of security since all members

� � Nation-states also provide individuals with a sense of security since all members abide by the common laws of the nation-state Since nation-states can contain many different nations conflicts do arise between the various nations within based on a variety of issues

Fiji Case Study � Fiji is a nation state � Divided between two main

Fiji Case Study � Fiji is a nation state � Divided between two main nations Ethnic Fijians �Ethnic Fijians come from the islands originally �Christian Indo Fijians �Descendants of contract labourers brought by the British in the 19 th Century �Are Hindu and Muslim

� � Different cultures, religious beliefs, histories, and traditions Four major coups over the

� � Different cultures, religious beliefs, histories, and traditions Four major coups over the last 20 years � Stemmed from efforts from the Indo-Fijians to attain rights and the ethnic-Fijians trying to reduce them

Understandings of Nationalism � Nationalism is: �A belief in a nation, shared sense of

Understandings of Nationalism � Nationalism is: �A belief in a nation, shared sense of kinship or belonging, shared consciousness of a collective identity Political Scientists add to this �Specific type of political or sociological movement

Creating a Sense of Nationalism � � � Geography Language Spirituality and religion Ethnicity,

Creating a Sense of Nationalism � � � Geography Language Spirituality and religion Ethnicity, Culture, Citizenship � all inspire a sense of nationalism

Geography � The land we live on is a strong force in shaping our

Geography � The land we live on is a strong force in shaping our nations � Creates � � a sense of belonging Example is the excerpt from Roy Fabian, “One of my Elders told me a situation. He said we can get rid of all the Dene people in Denendeh, we can all die off for some reason, but if there was another human being that came stumbling along and came to Denendeh, the environment would turn him into a Dene person. It’s the environment and the land that makes us Dene people. ”

� � � Connections aren’t always just tied to specific political boundaries Can be

� � � Connections aren’t always just tied to specific political boundaries Can be connected to landscapes, climates, or the environment of an area Along with man made wonders of the world

Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Great Pyramids

Great Pyramids

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

� � All can inspire a strong feeling of nationalism You can also feel

� � All can inspire a strong feeling of nationalism You can also feel a strong nationalistic pride for the homeland of your ancestors

� � Example from Qasim Ahmed, born in Gloucester , England travelled to the

� � Example from Qasim Ahmed, born in Gloucester , England travelled to the land of his ancestors and developed strong nationalistic ties to it “I feel deeply that this land of India, that I was separated from because my relatives moved over, is my land as well. I feel deeply possessive of India, and I feel angry and bitter that my relatives had to move during Partition. I feel as if this country is a part of me as well as Pakistan… For one I felt I was seeing a real part of my heritage. I felt connected to that place

Language and Nationalism � � � Many nations consider language the “clay” that shapes

Language and Nationalism � � � Many nations consider language the “clay” that shapes its people’s sense of nationalism Common mode of communication Allows the sharing of ideas, knowledge and wisdom

Spirituality, Religion, and Nationalism � � Very complex issue Can include � finding the

Spirituality, Religion, and Nationalism � � Very complex issue Can include � finding the meaning of life � Connecting with a spiritual being, � Achieving individual potential � Religious beliefs of a group are based on understandings of one’s place in the world � How the group will live

Ethnic Ties and Nationalism � � � Ancestry, characteristics, family ties, history, and language,

Ethnic Ties and Nationalism � � � Ancestry, characteristics, family ties, history, and language, as well as cultural values, beliefs, and traditions Creates a sense of belonging Shared sense of pride or loyalty to an ethnicity

Culture and Nationalism � � � Culture is the unwritten way of knowing, being,

Culture and Nationalism � � � Culture is the unwritten way of knowing, being, and acting among the people of a nation Based on shared traditions, beliefs and values Inspired by oral stories, history, food, clothing, arts, TV and film.

Citizenship and Nationalism � � � Membership and participation of individuals in a political

Citizenship and Nationalism � � � Membership and participation of individuals in a political community, Most times a nation state Through legal documentation � Laws, � charters, passports, birth certificates Includes � Paying taxes � Obeying the laws of the country � Serving in the country’s armed forces � Voting in elections � Respecting the rights of others

� � � Defending one’s own rights and the rights of others Nationalism is

� � � Defending one’s own rights and the rights of others Nationalism is not Patriotism is a love for a nation or nation-state Also involves love and respect for the symbols of a nation (flag, monuments and cities) Will even place the interests of the nation or nation-state above their own personal interests