EXPLORING NATIONALISM

Focus Questions To what extent should nation be the foundation of identity? To what extent should nation be the foundation of identity? To what extent should we embrace nationalism? To what extent should we embrace nationalism? To what extent are nation and identity related? To what extent are nation and identity related?

Concepts of Nation People often confuse ‘nation’ and ‘country’. Are they synonyms or not? People often confuse ‘nation’ and ‘country’. Are they synonyms or not?

NATION A nation is a shared state of mind or shared characteristics such as beliefs, language, religion, traditions, customs and culture. A nation is a shared state of mind or shared characteristics such as beliefs, language, religion, traditions, customs and culture.

COUNTRY A country is defined by a physical territory that is managed by a central government. Countries are often called nation-states. A country is defined by a physical territory that is managed by a central government. Countries are often called nation-states.

Nation Concept 1. The nation is the people 2. The nation expresses the soul of the people 3. The nation emerges from a feeling of belonging 4. The nation is an imagined political community 5. The nations exists when people want self government

Nation can be expressed as an individual concept or collective concept Nation can be expressed as an individual concept or collective concept Using terms like “we”, “us” and “our” shows that people are thinking collectively Using terms like “we”, “us” and “our” shows that people are thinking collectively

Patriotic Concept The nation can be expressed through patriotism The nation can be expressed through patriotism Patriotism is love of country and an interest in its well-being. A loyalty that may be expressed in various ways. Patriotism is love of country and an interest in its well-being. A loyalty that may be expressed in various ways.

Understandings of Nation People can have various understandings of nationalism People can have various understandings of nationalism They tend to develop from collective ideas They tend to develop from collective ideas 1. Linguistic 2. Ethnic 3. Cultural 4. Religious 5. Spiritual 6. Geographic 7. Political

Linguistic Understandings “Languages are the pedigrees of nations” “Languages are the pedigrees of nations” Language play a role in creating the mindset of a distinct people Language play a role in creating the mindset of a distinct people Helps create a shared worldview Helps create a shared worldview Example: Quebec Example: Quebec

Ethnic Understandings Ethnic: Racial characteristics. Many nations come into being because people share a collective identity based on ethnic characteristics. Ethnic: Racial characteristics. Many nations come into being because people share a collective identity based on ethnic characteristics. People relate to common ethnicity as a means of identifying as a collective People relate to common ethnicity as a means of identifying as a collective Example: The Ukrainian nation Example: The Ukrainian nation

Cultural Understandings Culture: the ways of life that people share. Culture: the ways of life that people share. Can inspire a sense of nation Can inspire a sense of nation Closely related to ethnicity Closely related to ethnicity Example: First Nations cultures Example: First Nations cultures

Religious Understandings Religion can form an important understanding of nation Religion can form an important understanding of nation People can use religion as a means of associating with a collective nation People can use religion as a means of associating with a collective nation Example: The Jewish nation (Israel) Example: The Jewish nation (Israel)

Geographic Understandings Geography affects development of nations Geography affects development of nations Physical barriers have caused the rise of distinct nations Physical barriers have caused the rise of distinct nations Geography often influences the nation- state Geography often influences the nation- state Example: Tibet, Yugoslavia Example: Tibet, Yugoslavia

Spiritual Understandings A people’s relationship with the land is sometimes bound by spiritual connections and can influence the sense of nation. A people’s relationship with the land is sometimes bound by spiritual connections and can influence the sense of nation. Example: The Holy Land (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) Example: The Holy Land (Christianity, Judaism, Islam)

Political Understandings People can understand nation to be a political entity as well; a country with sovereignty and self-determination. People can understand nation to be a political entity as well; a country with sovereignty and self-determination. Example: Canada Example: Canada

Sovereignty: The political authority to control one’s own affairs. Sovereignty may be distinguished from, and can sometimes conflict with, self-determination. Sovereignty: The political authority to control one’s own affairs. Sovereignty may be distinguished from, and can sometimes conflict with, self-determination.

Self-determination: The power to control one’s own affairs. National self- determination is the power of people within a nation-state or nation to make their own decisions about what is in their interest. Self-determination: The power to control one’s own affairs. National self- determination is the power of people within a nation-state or nation to make their own decisions about what is in their interest.

Nation as a Civic Concept People may feel a sense of nationalism or a sense of belonging as a citizen People may feel a sense of nationalism or a sense of belonging as a citizen

Civic Nation Civic Nation: A nation created by people- no matter what their ethnicity, culture, and language-who agree to live according to particular values and beliefs expressed as the rule of law.

This nationalism is called civic because it sees the nation as a community of equal, rights bearing citizens with shared political values and practices.

Civic Nationalism emerges over time as people live together according to certain laws.

Ethnic Nationalism Ethnic nationalism is very different from Civic Nationalism. Ethnic Nationalism: Nationalism that is founded on shared ethnicity, culture and language. People who share these traits may choose to create a nation-state based on their collective identity.

Examples would be the formation of Italy in 1870 and Germany in 1871.

National Identity “National identity describes that condition in which a mass of people have made the same identification with national symbols- have internalized those symbols…” William Bloom

Myths and National Identity National myths-shared stories, ideas and beliefs that may or may not be accurate- are key to creating a sense of nation. Can include ancient traditional stories to beliefs about what makes a nation special.

National myths are not static, they are always changing. National myths influence people and people influence national myths.