Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism Introduction Key Questions: How are nations, and a sense of national belonging, created? What are the politics of nationalism?

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism What Does ‘Nation’ Mean? Medieval origins: nationes as groups of university students that share a language Early Modern Times: nationes as the politically ruling bodies (nobility of a state was its ‘nation’) Age of Revolutions (French Revolution): The entire people as the ‘nation’

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism Theories of Nation Building The nation as a ‘biological’ entity: a common origin Nations as constructed or imagined communities Ernest Renan: A nation is a ‘daily plebiscite’ Benedict Anderson: Nations as ‘Imagined Communities’

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism How Nations Are Created The emergence of a public sphere and a common, vernacular language Creating and celebrating a common past Celebrating nature (as another commonality and ‘home’) National educational systems (Eugene Weber, Peasants into Frenchmen)

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism Nations and Nation States The integrative function of railway systems Common markets (important step in the unification of Germany in the 19 th century) and national bureaucracies Political institutions: every nations should have its own state (processes of national state building in Germany and Italy)

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism Warfare and the Nation Military training as a ‘learning site’ of national belonging Solidarity within the nation in times of war: individuals are expected to give their lives for the nation, but also expect the nation to take care of them and their families after the war Ideals of nation shaped during warfare (‘fighting community’)

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism The Confusing Chronology of Nations Early Modern Origins: National belonging through public spheres outside the state (in Germany, e.g.) The French Revolution and the constitution of the nation; the rise of nationalism during the Napoleonic Wars National unification (Germany, Italy) and nation building (France) during the 19 th century

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism The Politics of Nationalism Nationalism as leftist politics – why?

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism The Politics of Nationalism Nationalism as leftist politics: democratic impulse, against transnational (monarchic) Empires; an International of nationalism Mid to late 19 th century: emergence of chauvinistic, exclusive and often anti-Semitic nationalism Nationalism versus working-class internationalism

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism Nationalism and Empires Early nationalists regarded empires as the anti-thesis of nations (Johann Gottfried Herder) Imperialist Nationalism: Expansion for national survival (Lebensraum in Nazi Germany); mission to civilize in France Anti-colonial nationalism after both World Wars: For national independence

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism Nationalism Today Is nationalism on the decline? The rise of transnational institutions (EU) and international corporations The persistence of nationalism (resistance against transnational institutions and corporations), and even a revival of nationalism after the collapse of the Soviet Union

Making of the Modern World: Nations and Nationalism Nationalism Today (cont.) How much has changed? Barack Obama after his reelection in 2012: What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth. … The belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for comes with with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That’s what makes America great. … It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from or what you like or where you love. It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.