Nationalism as Theory and Ideology - Coursework Example

Theories and ideologies Introduction Just as the suggests, political ideologies refer to a set of principles, ideas, myths,ideals and doctrines that explains the social structure of a society. Additionally, political ideologies are a preliminary blueprint that explains the functionality of a social order within a society. Political theory on the other refers to a rational type of thinking that influences the political composition of a society. The two are fundamental in understanding political structures in different regions throughout the world. Various political theories and ideologies provide a systematic blue print that influences the structure of the governance. They often begin by explaining the history of the country thus validating the existence of unique political systems in respective societies1. Nationalism is a key political ideology that helps explain the political structure of a country thereby validating the existence of either democracies or Islamic states throughout the world as the discussion below portrays. Democracies and Islamic states are two of the most common political structures and systems of government throughout the world. The western countries spread their influence throughout the world thereby spreading the tenets of democracies. Most countries throughout the world therefore hold periodic elections in democratic systems a feature that portrays the influence of democracy and democratic systems of governments throughout the word. While the rest of the world adopted democratic systems, specific countries especially in the Middle East region upheld the dictates of Islam, the most predominant religion in the region. Islamic states in the Middle and North Africa therefore have Islamic systems of governance a feature that makes such structures equally popular in the region. This validates the claim that democracies and Islamic states are the most common systems of governance throughout the world. Nationalism is a unique political ideology that explains the attachment that people develop with their countries. Unlike patriotism, nationalism refers to the process of identifying with ones’ country. The aspect of national identity influences the nature of the attachment as one progressively develops the sense to influence the nature of the society to their liking. Primordialists explain that nationalism is a reflection of human tendencies to organize themselves into distinct social groups. The groupings often rely on places of birth. This way, individuals identify with both the social groupings and their places of birth. This enhances the development of the attachment that people feel with their regions thus the birth of nationalism as the love extents to a larger social grouping, which is a country. The other theory of nationalism known as the modernist theory explains that nationalism is a current phenomenon that requires the structures existent in the modern society in order to exist. Such is a vital explanation since it places nationalism to the contemporary society. The modern society has such features as dual citizenship, immigration and unique ways of becoming a citizen to a different country2. Such manifestations therefore rely on the structures of the order society to exist. Both explanations help explain the interest that people have in the governance of their societies thereby forming basis for the numerous other political ideologies and theories. Nationalism helps develop interest in the leadership of a society thus influencing the political structures and composition of a society. Democracy is one such system of government that relies on nationalism. Social theorists explain provide the basic explanation and values that influence the formation of democratic government. According to the social contract theory, members of a society sign contract with key people among them to lead them for a specified duration after which they seek fresh mandate to lead again3. The populace evaluates the performance of the leaders within period thereby selecting others to take over the leadership depending on the performance of the previous group. The explanation informs the structure of democratic systems of governance throughout the world. Also described as “a government for the people and by the people”, democratic governments protect the interest of the people by creating appropriate structures to do so. As explained earlier, democracy is the most common form of government as numerous countries throughout the world are adopting democratic structures. Democracy requires all the eligible citizens in a country to take part in elections thereby electing their leaders. Furthermore, the leaders are always part of the society. Democracy enhances the growth of nationalism as a feature that validates the claims of modernist perspective, which explains that democracy is a recent phenomenon whose existence relies on the modern structures. Democracies enhance the growth of nationalism in modern societies. Most people continue to express their interests in serving as leaders. As such, they must uphold the dictates of democracy and promise to foster the growth of various liberties in the country. Additionally, they must profess their love and attachment to both the country and its inherent values. Islamic ideologies influence various aspect of the lives of the adherents of the faith. Key among such is the structure of governance. Political aspects of Islam include specific dictates of the faith on the political organization of a society. The Islamic states in the Middle East and North Africa have unique constitutions and structures of governance that concur with the teaching of the Quran and the Sunna. The Prophet Muhammad facilitated the infusion of politics and Islam as he sought to create the first Islamic state, the state of Medina. In doing this, the Holy Prophet provided a blue print for Islamic States by explaining exquisite features of such states. Sharia is the set of laws that govern such states. The laws draw their origin from the teachings of Islam thereby creating an efficient structure one that the adherents of the faith easily understand and uphold. Additionally, the laws include a leader either elected or selected by birth with a series of succession systems. The laws outline the duties of the leaders and their obligation to seek constant consultations with the subjects. Additionally, the sharia outlines ways of rebuking offenders4. Just as is the case with democratic governments, nationalism plays a significant role in the construction of Islamic states. The citizens in such countries feel the strong sense of attachment with their countries. Furthermore, the fact that they are Muslims makes it easy for the people to live in the countries since the sharia laws are religious in nature. The two systems of government are appropriate in their own rights given the fact that they influence the operations of various sovereign states throughout the world. They have specific similarities and differences most of which arise from their composition and operation. Democracy is more popular than Islamic states. Key among the basic differences of the two is the fact that democratic governments are secular while Islamic states are religious. Democratic governments have secular structure often not referring to the religious laws. As such, democratic governments uphold social freedoms and basic rights of the people. The constitution is always the supreme law in such countries. The law upholds the social structures and liberties of the people. The laws explain the position of religion often creating space for their existence by permitting the populace the freedom to worship and assemble. Islamic states on the other hand uphold the tenets of Islam with the sharia laws embodying the traditional laws of Islam as developed by various Islamic leaders. The leadership of such governments has religious connotations and responsibilities given their religious ordination5. The caliphate system selects a specific family mandated with the governance of the region. The succession to the throne thus remains hereditary with the descendants of the leader having a birthright to the state. The leaders often make a lifelong claim to the throne. Their successors take over the leadership in their death. This differs greatly with democratic systems of government where a government lasts a specified period6. As a secular government, democracies always accommodate diversities. Religion is a fundamental cultural feature that influences the lives of the people in a region. However, various people in a specific country may have divergent religious beliefs. In such a case, a government must provide effective mechanism for the existence of the various religions. Democracies provide such accommodative social structures that permit the integration of people from diverse religious backgrounds. The secular constitutions provide value to the social liberties key among which is the freedom of worship and the freedom of association among others that enhance the coexistence of people from various religious backgrounds7. Islamic states on the other hand have authoritative structure and do not always accommodate people from other religions. Islamic states have systematic structures including Islamic financial laws to govern commerce among other intricate features of such societies. Such stringent religious guidelines discriminate against people from other religious backgrounds who find it difficult to integrate and transact with the citizens of such states. Most religious states are always autocratic in structure. Key among the lessons from the Arab spring was the autocratic nature of such government and the fact that the citizens detest the both the autocratic leaders and laws. The fact that the laws identify specific families to rule successively is a retrogressive system of governance one that discriminates against the other citizens8. Additionally, it enhances the formation of dictators from the lifelong presidents and leaders. In contrary, democratic governments enhances accountability among leaders besides the creation of a free social structure. Democratic systems just as explained earlier permit any member of the society to lead. The structures create space for every member of the society to take part in the process of creating a government by voting for a leader of their choice. The prospective leaders present themselves to the people with the view to convincing them to vote. Through such structures, the leaders always form governments that do not only protect the interest of the people but also uphold accountability in order to present themselves favorably to the electorate. Key among the similarities between both religions is the existence of functional structures thy both have the three arms of the government consisting of the executive, the judiciary and the legislative. However, the arms of the government are more functional in democratic systems than they are in Islamic states. Additionally, the laws in democratic systems are dynamic owing to the fact that they are secular in nature9. The legislative arm of democratic governments consists of elected leaders who make laws that protect the interests of the people. Islamic states have unique structures that observe the definite Sharia laws. The definite nature of the sharia laws makes it difficult for the governments to change the laws to represent and protect the interests of the populace. Such is a vital feature that instigated and enhanced the spread of the Arab spring. Democratic governments separate religion from state thereby developing a structure that continually formulates laws while another interprets the laws thus enhancing the orderliness of the state. Islamic states on the other hand do not separate the state from the religion with the religious laws influencing the structure of the governance. The laws therefore continue to reprimand the populace who must adhere to the religious laws. The societies do not accommodate any other religion a feature that enhances the religious animosity among people from diverse religious backgrounds10. Unlike laws in democratic societies that change with time, sharia laws are define. This implies that the laws that applied to the society at the time of Mohammed are still functional despite the evident changes in the structures of the society. Such features restrain the people to retrogressive cultural practices a feature responsible for the gender discrimination against women in such societies. In retrospect, nationalism is fundamental feature of personality that influences the social and political structures in numerous societies. The sense of belonging makes it possible for people to appreciate the social and cultural values including the religion. This forms basis for the development of governments. Nationalism validates the various types of governments including democracies and Islamic states. 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