Theories of Nationalism - Assignment Example

ETHNO NATIONALISM THEORIES OF NATIONALISM Abstract One of the major factors that chart the kind of government a nation can have is nationalism. If one delves into the history of what these nations such as Yugoslavia, China, Germany, Vietnam, France, Cuba, and Libya among others, have achieved in terms of existing form of government that rules them, it becomes imperative that nationalism is a precursor of the changes of a nation’s political, administrative and social arenas. It is in the purview of this paper that the subject on nationalism be explored to have a better understanding of what this concept means as well as collectively bring new insights, philosophical arguments related to nationalism as well as theories which may have changed over time. It is also envisaged that its presentation would include elements, factors, issues and theories influencing the development of nationalism of a nation. This paper seeks to present theories that may have unresolved arguments among theorists and historians which may give enlightenment to other issues on nationalism. Keywords: Theories of Nationalism, nationalism. Nation, state Thesis Statement Inasmuch as this study would like to present a wider coverage on the different types of nationalism, this paper limits its presentation to only to the discussion of ethno nationalism. There are issues with regards to the notion of State and Nationalism as well as the approaches towards nationalism. This research paper seeks to present here some of the weak and strong theorists’ stand, perceptions and parameters which could give a clear and better understanding of unresolved issues for ethno nationalism and nationalism Introduction Only conscientious, strong determined people of a nation sharing a consensus aspiration can bring its country to where it is today. Take for example the case of ASEAN countries like Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, China and now exemplifying European countries like Germany, Yugoslavia, France among others, look what their nationalistic struggles and values have achieved for their country ? Rationalizing what their countries have achieved today, it would be obvious that it took a homogenous and unified population to put their country and government in the situation where they want it to be. More countries are struggling for change in government like the ongoing unrest in Libya. What would be the unifying factor that would bring their country to such status of development and social order? Definition of Nationalism and Its Essentialism Nationalism, would be a plausible answer. Nationalism, according to Smith, A. is an ideological movement for attaining and maintaining autonomy, unity and identity for a population which some of its members deem to constitute an actual or potential “nation” (Smith, A., 2001). Gellner also added that “…nationalism is a political legitimacy which requires ethnic boundaries…” (Gellner, 2006). W. Connor, remarked that the “…the nature of nationalism remains essentially unprobed” (Connor,1994, 73). In fact, there are some confusions in certain terminologies and postulates which need clarification like, would the meaning “nation” be synonymous to the meaning of a “state”? Krehbiel explains that by: “ nation some mean a state in which there is one nationality, a national-state. These would say that Austria-Hungary is a state, but not a nation. However, in international relations Austria-Hungary is considered a nation like every other. As this study has to do with international affairs, the terms nation and state (when referring to a sovereign power) are used synonymously. Nationalism, then (as distinct from nationality) is the political system of co-existing sovereign states. ”(Krehbiel,n.d.). How can one delineate a nation from a nation-state? “A nation is a group of people who share the same culture, language, institutions, religion, and history—usually a group of people larger than a tribe or community. When a nation of people has an independent State of their own it is often called a nation-state. The Kurds are a nation without a State, but France, Germany, and Japan are examples of nation-states. Country and State are synonymous terms that both apply to self-governing political entities. A nation, however, is a group of people who share the same culture but do not have sovereignty.” (Olzon, n.d.) Next, how is patriotism different from nationalism? “In the same way there is point of divergence between these two: Patriotism is a belief in one's country, a political unit known as the "nation-state" because it unites nation (tribe, race) and political state, meaning that a people are no longer defined by heritage and culture alone, but by the political and economic boundaries of their parent state. …In order to appeal to the individual, nations use patriotic belief that commends the individual to consider their nation better than others” (ANUS, n.d) Is nationalism a strategy or a philosophy? In addition to the definition earlier given by A. Smith, Harris, E. complements it with her definition that “Nationalism is a specific kind of political ideology” (2009). These are some questions that need further answers. Elements and Conditions Necessary to Achieve Nationalism “Necessary elements to be present to attain nationalism would include: a sense of ethnicity; love of country; commitment to country (loyalty); sense of homeland” (“Elements”). When people perceive a common experience and a realization of a common ground like possessing common history, language, race or religion, this will give people a sense of belonging and the belief that they have a national identity. “When both a common identity and a formal authority structure over a large territory ( i.e. the state) exist, then nationalism becomes possible” (“Nationalism”, 2010). Ethno Nationalism and Its Theories “Nationalism's diversity makes it impossible for it to develop in an all-inclusive theory that can explain every historical event. Many of these systems of classification have as their base a fundamental distinction between two types of nation: civic and ethnic” (“Nationalism-Theories”). Ozkirimli, Umut , Gernell, Ernest and Smith, Anthony and Conversi, Daniele are some of the staunch theorists and critiques on nationalism and ethno nationalism. Pozo mapped out contemporary theories of nationalism and presented how ethnosymbolism emerged from contemporary approaches on nationalism covering Smith’s approaches to it through primordialism, instrumentalism to modernism and ethno-symbolism (Conversi, 2007) . The importance of ethno nationalism is well reflected as Guibernau, et.al , revealed its importance in “ethnic bonding and ethnic identity were becoming more important for sociology and social psychology.” (Guibernau & John, p.2 (2010). Moreover, Conversi described that A. Smith was a disciple of Gellner. (L. Pozo) He also presented what Ozkirimli crafted for his four approaches in simpler terms: (L. Pozo,2002) “Primordialism ( nationality is a 'natural' part of human beings), Modernism (nations are modern constructs linked to processes like capitalism, industrialism, the bureaucratic state, etc), Ethno-Symbolism (a 'mid-way' stressing enduring traditions, mythology and symbols, myths), and 'New Approaches' (modernism to post modernism. On `New Approaches', Smith developed his own analytical framework for the study of nationalism, based on five propositions. First, there can be no 'general' theory of nationalism. Second, there is no 'one' nationalism. Third, the common denominator of different ideas, policies and projects is the nationalist discourse, the `rhetoric of nationhood'. Fourth, this discourse can only be effective if it is reproduced on a daily basis. And fifth, it is necessary to acknowledge differences of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, age, that affect the construction of identity” On the other side, Conversi, presented “how Anthony Smith had dichotomized two streams of thoughts: instrumentalism as opposed to primordialism and modernism as opposed to perennialism. A new approach that encompasses both primordialism and instrumentalism is sociobiology. Sociobiological and ‘kinship’ perspectives bring forth the centrality of descent in defining ethnic groups.” (Conversi, 2006) . As postulated by A. Smith, and according to Conversi, Primordialism appeals to “emotional and instinctive constraints as ultimate explanations for national mobilization. Instrumentalism conceives ethnicity as a dependent variable…,is also often referred to as constructivism (Brown 2000); Modernism relates to two contrasting calendars: modernists date their formation to the rise of modernity, in whatever form the latter is defined; perennialists see them as enduring, inveterate, century-long, even millennial phenomena, certainly predating modernity; For the perennialists, the nation is reassuringly granted for posterity, indeed destined to eternity. h is double projection towards past and future represents nationalism’s greatest force, but also its greatest weakness as a generalizable principle. In general, the intellectuals’ role is seen by ethno symbolists as providing a skeleton upon which to build a larger movement: ‘bridges’ must be built between past and present, between ethnic myths and their modern translation into viable, coherent identities and political programs.” (Conversi, 2002). Conclusion On nationalism, quite a few theorists might have postulated that “at times nationalism emerges as a democratic anti-authoritarian movement, and at other times as a means to promote wars between countries, or perhaps in some occasions, have the unification or subdivision associated with area, or as a pressure seeking the liberation of the place from "foreign" domination” (“Nationalism-Theories”). With quite different mixtures of cultural qualities, “nationalism hasn't appeared in a single form of unique “panacea”. Inasmuch as Ethno symbolism is concerned, it has shown to “be relevant and adaptable to the support of widely different time lines and latitudes. It can explain common features lying at the basis of a great deal of sociopolitical developments. Sometimes it is hard to accept that ethno symbolism as one of the best known sophisticated contemporary approaches to study regarding nationalism yet it is still found to lack the foundation and a general theory. Cognizant of these, the road that leads to the full understanding of nationalism in all its complexities remains to be a long journey to consider. Lacking an over-all theory, everyone has yet to rely on several methods, each of which will, in Smith’s words, ‘illuminate a corner of the broader canvas just to leave the rest of it in untraversed darkness” (Conversi, 2002) REFERENCES American Nihilist Underground Society (ANUS). (2005) Patriotism or Nationalism? Retrieved March 13, 2011 from online website: http://www.anus.com/zine/articles/patriotism/ Beiner, Ronald. (2003) Liberalism, nationalism, citizenship: essays on the problem of political Community. Retrieved March 13, 2011 from online website: http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=iQL8MWJ8PhYC&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=theory+of+nationalism+applicable+to+the+fall+of+berlin&source=bl&ots=EwIZe4pfra&sig=sq3gUJhk9SqotKoT2hSPc88_7ME&hl=en&ei=z0Z8Tc7WCIfWrQeqqqm2BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CC4Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q&f=false Connor, Walker.(1994). Ethnonationalism: the quest for understanding. Retrieved March 12, 2011 from online web site: http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=bmgineq0r3MC&pg=PA145&lpg=PA145&dq=ethnonationalism+,+a+theory?&source=bl&ots=P0h_4RH_-n&sig=1yLi833soAeNxYF6vzUZ9Th5klo&hl=en&ei=JVN8TbucCsnNrQeV2IXWBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDgQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=ethnonationalism%20%2C%20a%20theory%3F&f=false Conversi, Danieli. (2006). Chapter 1 Mapping The Field: Theories of Nationalism and The Ethnosymbolic Approach. [PDF File] Retrieved March 12, 2011 from online website: http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/conversi/mapping.pdf Conversi, Danieli. (2007).Homoegenisation, nationalism and war: should we still read Ernest Gellner? Retrieved March 10, 2011 from online web site: http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/conversi/homogen.pdf Gellner, Ernest. ( 2006)Nations and Nationalism. Retrieved March 12, 2011from online website: http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=jl7t2yMfxwIC&pg=PR32&lpg=PR32&dq=theories+of+nationalism+and+application+to+events&source=bl&ots=e0tIPCAya5&sig=oOk59aJ0aZnoHEn6VWTpfmDJPPc&hl=en&ei=ORN8TbuTEMK3rAfz4PXBBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CC4Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q&f=false Guibernau, Montserrat and Rex, John. (2010) The Ethnicity Reader: Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration. Retrieved March 13, 2011 from online web site: http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=9yBQtExDppkC&pg=PA372&dq=cross+migration+conflicts+with+nationalism?&hl=en&ei=QVl8TYflC4qrrAe5qIXKBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CE8Q6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false Harris, Erika. Nationalism: Theories and Cases (2009). Retrieved March 22, 2011 from online web site : http://www.euppublishing.com/book/9780748615599 Jaffrelot, Christophe. (2003) For A Theory of Nationalism. [PDF File] Retrieved from online web site: http://www.ceri-sciencespo.com/publica/question/qdr10.pdf Krehbiel, Edward (PhD), ( n.d. ).Nationalism, War and Society.A Study of Nationalism and Its Concomitant, War, In Their Relation To Civilization; And of The Fundamentals And The Progress of The Opposition to War. Retrived March 13, 2011from online web site: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=4468715 Lampe, JohnR. & Mazower, Mark (2004). Ideologies and national identities: the case of twentieth-century –The Case of the Twentieth Century Southeastern Europe. Retrived March 12, 2011 from online web site: http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=gE1c4wK-ASAC&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110&dq=historical+nationalistic+events+related+to+theories+of+nationalism&source=bl&ots=_ls8Qnf1wR&sig=_U2oqnwhylO54ZxVFsNzxJbOF7I&hl=en&ei=ctd7TaoahomsB4njmb4F&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false Nationalism-Theories of Nationalism.(n.d.) Retrieved March 12, 2011 from online website: http://science.jrank.org/pages/10391/Nationalism-Theories-Nationalism.html “Nationalism”(2010) questia.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011 from online website: http://www.questia.com/library/politics-and-government/political-science/political-movements/nationalism/nationalism.jsp?CRID=nationalism&OFFID=se1 Olzon, L. (n.d.) State, Country, and Nation: The criteria that define a country, an independent State, and a nation. Retrieved March 12, 2011 from online website : http://www.infoplease.com/world/statistics/state-country-nation.html Ozkirimli, Umut. 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Colonialism and Nationalism in Southeast Asia. Retrieved March 12, 2011 from online web site: http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/wilson/colonialism.htm Read More