Nationalism as the Development of Political Ideologies - Assignment Example

Task History The development of nationalism has been and important theme in our this semester. Choose 2 countries we have studied and discuss in detail how nationalism has affected history? Nationalism has been identified as the development of political ideologies which create an increased attachment between ones nation and himself. This element of nationalism is commonly characterised by development of national identify in contrast to patriotism but with increased social conditions and behaviours supporting national behaviours and actions. Nationalism remains an element which has fundamental influence in the political and social setting within a nation. There are different ideologies which lead to the social effects of nationalism within a country(James, p217). These are commonly influenced by leaders who become nationalists and seeks to impose the political ideologies within the entire nation in seeking to create a national identity. The adoption of the ideologies within the population commonly results in social reinterpretation of the identity, and fundamental changes in the internal structures. Nationalism commonly presents significant influence upon the social and political setting within the country, resulting in significant influence of the history of the nation. Libya has been one of the countries which have been significantly affected by nationalism for durations of time. When Colonel Muammar Gaddafi became the leader of the country, he introduced nationalism leadership through the Third International Theory. This approach affected the political and social history of the country as the leader gained absolute power which enabled him to control all elements of the country totally. Despite the involvement of direct democracy in the proposed system, Libya became a country governed through dictatorial rule without a trace of democracy. For a period over four decades the country was ruled by a solitary individuals, in possession of absolute powers. The element of nationalism remains the fundamental cause of relatively low embracing of democracy in Libya. Antilogism has had detrimental effects which result from internal structural issues caused by resentment by existing groups within the country. This element of nationalism can be described as the fundamental source of instability within the state of Syria. The country has continuously tried to implement nationalism ideologies upon the political systems and they have resulted in revolutions and resistance from the citizens. This has been the fundamental reason behind the numerous coups which have been experienced within Syria since the 1940s. Elements of infighting within the state have been fundamental causes of these wars created by differences between regionalist and nationalist ideologies. The history is Syria is marred with numerous coups, which have over during the last half of the 20th century, and the country continues to face political instability even today. Compare and contrast the modernisation efforts of Mustapha Kemal (Ataturk) in Turkey and Muhammad Reza Shah in Iran. Make reference to specific historical details in your answer. Kemal and Shah can be described as some of the most influential leaders of modernisations and development within their respective countries. The time during which the leaders influenced the political arena, their countries were undergoing immense political constrains resulting from social pressure. The political systems existing within the countries were characterised by limitations in the fundamental freedoms provided to citizen. The two leaders had a significant influence in transforming the rights and roles of women within the society. In turkey, one of the fundamental modernisation effects of Kemal was granting women with equal political and civil rights in seeking to empower them. Shah on the other hand, granted women in Iran suffrage(Hunter, p256). Both of these leaders adopted numerous approaches aimed at transforming their countries both politically and socially in seeking to modernise the systems. A notable similarity in the social transformation intended by these leaders was the desire to make their nations become secular states. The effects of these leaders in the transformation of the economic systems within the country were significantly important. The economic development during the leadership of Kemal in Turkey focused on development of infrastructure to enable and sustain economic growth(Hunter, p279). In Iran under the stewardship of Shah, the economic development plan focused on the nationalisation of some industries, especially oil, which had been dominated by foreign firms with minimal benefits going to the Iranians. These development approaches had deferent effects within the two countries because of the social settings existing within these countries. There are fundamental differences in the elements of modernisations as adopted by the two leaders within their countries. While both leaders sought to develop secular cultures which move d away from the Islamic laws used extensively within the countries, only Kemal succeeded in achieving this. This was mainly because of the creation of a parallel civil code which created a civil law system. The gradual acceptance of this systems eventually resulted in the abolishment of Islamic courts within the country. Shah was however, faced with immense resistance which resulted in revolutions and the country was reverted to an Islamic state, which it still is up to today. Much of the efforts made by shah in the modernisation of Iran were not successful as they were mostly abolished after his demise. How has the Arab-Israeli conflict destabilized the entire region of the Middle East after World War II? Make reference to specific historical events in your answer. The continued Arab-Israel conflict has had detrimental effects in the stability of the region of the Middle East after the world wars II. The economic welfare of the Middle East has been significantly affected by the results of these ensuing conflicts. The unrelenting antagonism within the region has continuously resulted in the region becoming highly volatile in terms of security. the unity of the numerous Arab countries which make the larger part of the Middle East has continuously resulted in the other Middle Eastern countries supporting the Arab side and becoming opponents of policies supporting Israeli led actions(Hahn, p75). The Arab countries have continuously remains resistance to Israeli led invasion in seeking to ensure their independence. Peace has continuously proved an elusive element caused by numerous issues arising within the region. The continued disagreements in territorial boundaries have resulted in creation of trade and economic barriers which have been detrimental to the social welfare for the region. Arab refugees residing in Israel were refused repatriation following the end of the war in 1956. This event resulted in increased animosity in seeking to reach an agreement regarding the hostile treatment of Arabs in Israeli territory. The activities resulting from the conflict have continuously created a perception of a hostile environment in the Middle East. Many foreign governments remains adamant to attempt to make foreign investments within the Middle East because of the fear of the escalation of the conflict and destruction of property. The unions established within the region commonly fall under threat of existing treaties made between different countries and Israeli. Arab countries seeking to make economic partnerships with other countries must make consideration of existing partnerships with Israel. The formation of Israel as a state, remains the fundamental cause of the conflict because the Arab nations considered this to be a non-Arab country within Arab land(Ross, p45). The stabilization of the regions would come following a peaceful resolution of the existing conflicts. The Arab leadership has adamantly continued to oppose negotiation occurring between Israel and the Arab countries in search for peaceful resolution to the conflict. When Egyptian leader Sadat, deviated from the Arab leadership ideologies and initiated negotiation between Egypt and Israel, there was an amicable solution between the borders of these nations which ultimately ended the animosity between the two countries. The recurrence of dictatorship has been an important theme in our class this semester. Choose two countries we have studied and discuss in detail how dictatorship has played a role in their history. Dictatorship can be defined a political leadership approach in which power becomes monopolised within a single individuals of political party. This form of governance of characterised by increased utilisation of various oppressive mechanisms to the citizens. The governance systems within the Arab countries have continuously provided a platform for dictatorship within many countries through the theories of Arab-nationalism and unity. Many countries across the Middle East have continuously been faced by numerous challenges which have resulted in development of dictators within the region(Owen, p127). Oppression remains one of the fundamental attributes which characterise dictatorship as the element of authoritarian rule becomes the governing element and the driving force for the leaders. Much of the revolution which occurred during the spring uprising within the Arab world was based on the need to eliminate oppressive dictatorship governments. The Islamic state of Iran has been defined by many political scientists as political system which has been moving towards military dictatorship. Despite the country conducting general elections the processes of selecting the candidates have remained relatively anti-democratic. The country was transformed into an Islamic state despite having introduced various elements of secular democracy by Shah. This has been a fundamental element contributing towards the constriction and government control of economic resources within the country. Much of the country’s oil industry has remained under the control of relatively few individuals. The role of women within the society still remains limited and the fundamental human rights are not accorded equally among the different citizens of the country. Within the state, the role of the paramilitary group, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), has continuously increased within the social, political and economic aspects of the country. The monarch leadership of Jordan can be described as dictatorship rule within the region. The element of having a country governed by a monarch has been fundamental in affecting the national policies emanating for the government activities which are controlled by the monarch. The aspect of democracy has become irrelevant through the existence of the country and this has resulted in continued abuse of human rights across the country. The creation of a bicameral system within the country has been aimed at reducing the effects of dictatorship rule by the monarch. The house of senate contains members who have been directly appointed by the Monarch, and this has continuously caused political tensions and elements of authoritarianism within the country. The creation of two legislative systems has been a fundamental move by the country aimed at achieving some element of democratization within the country. Compared to other Middle East countries, Jordan has made a relative effort through this move. References Hahn, Peter L. Caught in the Middle East. North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press, 2004. Print. Hunter, Shireen. Modernization, Democracy, and Islam. London: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005. Print. James, Paul. Globalism, Nationalism, Tribalism: Bringing Theory Back In. London: Sage Publications, 2006. Print. Owen, Roger. The Rise and Fall of Arab Presidents for Life. Boston: Harvard University Press, 2012. Print. Ross, Stewart. Causes and Consequences of the Arab-Israeli Conflict Volume 3 of Causes and Consequences. London: Evans Brothers, 2004. Print. Read More