Nationalism and the Concept of Nation-State - Essay Example

When a particular state is composed of a single nation or people with a common identity, we call it a nation-state” (Viotti 464).
However, the dynamics of nationalism may be a little complex and tricky where more than one group, may be based on religion, race, etc., exist and interact to formulate the national interest of the state. This may result in sort of interest clashes if not dealt with tactfully at the state level. Ethnic and racial groups are conservative and traditionalist in their loyalty and allegiance toward their religion and race. These groups possess their own specific and rigid identities and like to maintain themselves as a unit while sticking firmly to these identities. The unity based on religious or racial grouping gives birth to the problem of contentious autonomy within the state. The intricacies are purely the subject of politics and have to be addressed with political will while safeguarding the interest of the state.

The unity and identity based on religion and race is a challenging issue for state-level unity and identity as a nation-state. People tend to retain their religious and racial identity while “Nationality involves a significant degree of self-definition and refers to a people with a sense of common identity if not destiny” (Viotti 464). Nationality demands the subjugation of religious and ethnic interests by the sovereignty, integrity, and solidarity of the state. If the group-level identities and interests are dominated and governed by the state interests, the concept of the nation-state persists and flourishes otherwise it spoils and destroys.

Nationalism manifests itself in several different colors and shapes but one major attribute of nationalism is its conformity to history and myth. In every state despite the existence of multicultural religious and racial groups and units some common exhibits of historical and mythical events that promote nationalism. Among these are the National Days celebrated by the state, which may be the independence or liberation days, anniversaries or birthdays of national heroes, memorial days for national achievements, or some other day or event that underlines the unity of all groups, communities, and races living within a state. These days can be employed as a tool for the renaissance of nationalism and reassurance of nationhood. However, there are some contemporary world events that are considered a source of national disintegration and disharmony. There may be days celebrated by some religious, racial,l or ethnic group to establish autonomous authority or a separation movement day or commemoration day for a revolution against the authority of the state.

The twentieth century has witnessed many successful liberation and other movements fueled by nationalism. Most of them were owned and controlled by religious and ethnic groups and identities. The century witnessed the downfall of colonialism, the emergence of China and Bangladesh, the disintegration of the USSR, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and many other events of global impact. These events were attributed to nationalism in one way or another. However, in two World Wars of the twentieth century have also provided the basis for the bloodshed in the name of nationalism. Therefore nationalism like other sentiments of humans can be a blessing or curse, it has to be channeled and tamed for the prosperity of humanity. Read More