Chapter 4 Nationalism

Question 1

Name three characteristics of the nation.

Answer 1

1. People who share demographic (Language, race, religion) and cultural similarities or shared history.
2. People who possess a feeling of community, mutually identify as a group distinct from other groups. (Perception and the subjective feeling of belonging leads to a feeling of being part of a “we group” which is different than the “they group”)
3. The desire to be politically separate and self-governing. People who want to control themselves politically

Question 2

List for reasons why the concept of nation – state diverges from the ideal.

Answer 2

1. One State, multiple nations-Multinational states – those in which more than one nation lies within the state.
2. One nation, multiple states–Multistate nation-when a nation overlaps the borders of two or more states. One nation dominates two or more states.
3. One nation, no State-Stateless nation-when a nation is a minority in one or more states, does not have a nation-state of its own, and wants one.
4. Multiple nations, multiple states

Question 3

List several benefits of nationalism

Answer 3

1. Nationalism promotes democracy
2. Nationalism discourages imperialism- As in East Timor’s independence from Portugal and Indonesia. Applies to colonialism.
3. Nationalism allows economic development
4. Nationalism allows diversity and experimentation-As happened in America in 1776.

Question 4

List several negative aspects of nationalism

Answer 4

1. Reluctance to help others- We are reluctant to help the “they-group”.
2. Exclusionism- Excluding “them” from entering “our” country.
3. Exceptionalism-The belief that your nation is better than others–and–xenophobia-fear and dislike of people from other nationalities.
4. Cultural discrimination and oppression-The dominant ethno-national group has political, economic, and social advantages over minority groups. Just like Nazi Germany, Sudan, Rwanda, Bosnia and Kosovo.
5. Imperialism-Nationalism can lead to external aggression based on the belief that it is acceptable to conquer other nations.

Question 5

Is there a future for nationalism in the years to come?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

What are some of the problems associated with the lack of fit between nations and states?

Answer 6

Nationalism advocates fit between nation and stay on a one on one basis. But in reality you have one state multiple nations like Canada Rwanda. You have multistate nations such as Korea, and Albania. You have a stateless nation such as the Kurds and the Palestinians. And you have multiple nations and multiple states such as Afghanistan which has Pashtuns, Tajiks hazaraz and Uzbeks. Territorial boundaries of nations and states often do not coincide. This lack of fit between nations and states is a significant source of tension and conflict.