nationalism Flashcards
what are the 6 core beliefs in nationalism?
- Nations
- Nation states
- Self determination
- Culturalism
- Racialism
- Internationalism
who are the 4 key thinkers in nationalism, and what are their strands?
-Jean-Jacques (liberal)
- von Herder (conservative)
-Charles Mauras (expansionist)
-Marcus Garvey (post-colonialism)
What are the 4 different strands within nationalism?
liberal nationalism, conservative nationalism, anti/post colonialism, expansionist nationalism
what is a nation?
a group of people united through shared characteristics and customs
how do a liberal and conservative nationalist differ on their view on the nation?
Liberal nationalists – believe that anyone who mimics the characteristics of a nation can join it. For example, the “cricket test” presented in the 90s by Uk politician Norman Tebbit. He stated many Asian migrants into the Uk fail the cricket test. When England plays against another country, he asks “Which side do you cheer for? Are you harking back to where you came from, or where you are?”. it appears if you support the English cricket team, the same way English nationals do, you can too call yourself British – showing how new people can join a nation if they accept the customs of that nation. This way of thinking can also be shown through the British citizenship test – where you just need to answer enough questions about Britain in order to become British yourself.
Conservative Nationalists – Believe only those born from nationals, and brought up in the nation, can be considered new additions to the nation. This is because being a national is not something you learn from a textbook; it is something inherent and unique about you. You cannot change where you come from or what your blood / heritage represents. This is because there is an accumulation of wisdom from the nation on “what it means to be British?” - it is not something that can be discovered through empirical means.
^The rivers of blood speech - shows how too many immigrants are coming into the Uk, and are not able to integrate into society, as they’re not apart of society and it’s customs / practices.
what is a nation state?
A nation state is a sovereign state that is run by its own nation. As only those within the nation are fit for governance (through their unity), they must be granted their own state to exert such authority. A nation state guarantees legislation is shaped in the best interest of the nation and no one else.
what are all the different strands opinion on the nation-state?
1) Liberal nationalism –
believe the nation is the most sovereign, important body. Only the nation knows how to govern in the best interest of the nation. If all nations had their respective nation-state, this would encourage greater peace and trade amongst countries, as they are all regarded as equal.
^Jean-Jacques (liberal) - believed the state got its legitimacy from the general will of the people. it is in the peoples best interest to follow the state, as they ARE the state. “people should be forced to be free”.
2) Conservative nationalism – agree that nations are entitled to their own state, yet not due to a focus on liberty, but rather a force of segregation. They are sceptical about nations mixing, and therefore they can be kept apart easily if they have their own land and their own legislation to follow. A State is most effective when it has only one group of people to cater for.
^Von Herder believed in the Volksgeist - the folk spirit of the nation. True German culture was found in the general will discovered amongst the common people. The volk means the people. The culture of a nation is understood through the people within it.
3) Anti-colonialism – colonised states no longer regarded themselves as apart of a colony anymore, but rather dictated by one. The country that had colonialised them did not act in their own best interest, as they were from their own nation, and had their own nations best interest at heart. Thus instead the nation found within these colonies should govern themselves - not a foreign nation.
^Marcus Garvey - Believed all African men should return to Africa once a black man is crowned, as only this black man would know how to govern in the interest of the continent. Garvey, believed this man to be himself.
Expansionist nationalism – rejects previous ideas of all nations holding the equal right to a state, as they believe some nations are more superior than others, and therefore require more land to exert their influence and breed their superior nation.
^ Charles Maurras - came up with the term “internal foreigners” to describe those not a part of the nation, yet claim they are – like Jews and protestants. He believed revolution was due to “Swiss ideals” and had no place in France.
what is meant by self determination?
The nations right to governance This stems from nationalisms beliefs on the importance of the nation, as the only unified body capable of creating policies in the national interest. Self – determination is very similar to the belief of a nation state. Only the nation is capable of determining what is best for them, and to do this, they require a state.
How do liberal nationalists and expansionist nationalists differ on their beliefs of self determination?
1) Liberal nationalism – If all nations had their respective nation-state, this would encourage greater peace and trade amongst countries, as they are all regarded as equal. Thus international order can only exist when all nations can exercise self determination - this is supported by the dell theory. This way, there is no tension between states.
2) Expansionist nationalism – believe some nations are more superior than others. This is because some nations have more desirable characteristics or ethics than other nations, and thus only these nations should be trusted with their own state. In this sense, they reject the idea of self-determination for all nations, as some nations aren’t well equipped enough to rule themselves.
^For example, Nazi Germany spoke of the ideals of “lebensraum” - more territory a nation believes is needed for natural development. Other nations therefore must accept their position in the hierarchy as inferior.
what is meant by culturalism in nationalism?
the deep, emotional tie to ones country. Culturalism is the best way to understand what unites the nationhood. It is the view that people have an emotional, deep-rooted tie to their country. Cultural views of nationalism recognise the creation of a nation takes time, as it is an accumulation of multiple factors: language, religion, traditions, etc. Culturalism has strong links to patriotism – the belief we should be proud of our country.
Culturalism recognizes that different cultures have different norms, values, and practices and that these differences can shape human behavior and experience.
How do the different strands disagree on their view of culturalism?
(liberal and conservative)
There is disagreement within nationalism on how a nations culture effects the nation:
Liberal nationalism – Believe culture is important for unity, yet believe anyone can take part in this culture, and join the nationhood. New people can join a nation if they accept the customs of that nation. This way of thinking can also be shown through the British citizenship test – where you just need to answer enough questions about Britain in order to become British yourself.
Conservative nationalism – Believe culture is very important as it is the main distinction between nations.
^ von Herder wrote about the importance of culturalism, claiming each nation had its own “volksgeist” - folk spirit, an accumulation of its own unique experiences. No nation is the same to another, as we are wholly different. This gives rise to the need for our own state as a result of our inherent differences / values. Conservative nationalists may also look back to a greater time where we preserved our culture more and didn’t have such multiculturalism tainting our own traditions. For example, the “rivers of blood” speech by a British politician in the 70s, where he warned of letting immigrants in with their own customs / traditions.
what is meant by racialism?
The belief that each race has its own characteristics / traits. These differences are biological and fixed.
How do the different strands disagree on their view of racialism?
(expansionist, liberal and anti-colonialism stated)
Liberal nationalists - Do not place so much emphasis on racial differences but rather cultural differences. Race is something biological, yet culture is something that can be learnt. This explains how they think people can join a nation by learning their culture and their race is not a limiting factor in this process.
Anti colonialism / expansionist – those within a colony no longer regarded themselves as apart of a colony, but rather dictated by one. they saw a difference now between the African race and European race, and didn’t think a different race should govern their own. ^Marcus Garvey used race as a huge factor while campaigning for independence. He believed white men from other countries should not control black men in their own countries. He wanted to unite all countries within Africa, creating a single state, that he would govern himself, and he would ensure “black racial purity”. He stated that Africans should return to Africa “when a black man is crowned”. He had close relations with the KKK as they had the shared vision of segregation – Marcus Gavey was prejudice against Jews and mixed-race people as they had “traits” that he did not want to see in modern Africa.
Conservative / expansionist - due to the differences in races, we can distinguish which race is superior to another - this is because some nations have more desirable traits. These nations should be able to exert their influence as they know best.
^Charles Maurras believed in the need for a hierarchy (that he expressed through dominance of the catholic church and monarchy) in which he derived that the French race was superior, and he had an extensive criteria for what made someone French. He came up with the term “internal foreigners” to describe those not a part of the nation, yet claim they are – like Jews and protestants.
what does internationalism mean?
Internationalism – the belief that people should look beyond traditional national boundaries in order for countries to work together and work for the interest of humanity as a whole, not just a nation.
Nations who have their own states, and who are viewed as equal on the international stage, can work together for mutual benefit - like international trade, promote peace, etc.
how do the different strands differ on their view of internationalism?
(all stated)
Liberal internationalism: Nations have the right to self-determination. In practice this is exercised through the creation of nation states. Naturally nation states will look to cooperate with one another without a loss of sovereignty in the process – like trading goods / services to become more efficient. This will lead to more international peace due to the dell theory, and if issues were to arise, then international organisations can be used to create a stage for nation states to discuss.
anti-colonialism – Marcus Gavey believed heavily in racial segregation and believed strongly in his nation being self-reliant in the near future. Therefore, anti-colonialists would be sceptical of liberal internationalism as it would inevitably lead to exploitation again further down the line. Instead, nations must stick to their own ways and not interfere with one another.
Conservative nationalists – may be sceptical about how international cooperation and IGOs effect state sovereignty. Only the nation will know what is in the best interest of the nation – and therefore only the nation should govern.
expansionist nationalists - cooperation amongst states cannot take place as this would imply they are all equal. in reality, some states have more desirable characteristics, and these states should therefore be able to do what they like on the international stage, as only their sovereignty matters.
^idea of lebensraum
^Charles Maurras believe in the “internal foreigner”
