Nationalism Flashcards
Explain conservative nationalism’s main characteristics?
Determination to preserve the national interest
eg thatchers radical reforms in the national interest - resisting european integration
Nationalism used as a means of retaining social unity and reducing social conflict eg Disraeli pursues nationalism due to the class conflict resulting from feee market capitalism
Historically imperialist
Can be defensive in nature - national identity is under threat eg UKIP or hindu nationalism in response to threat of islamic culture
Examples of liberal nationalism
Young Italy
Ireland
Scotland
Examples of conservative nationalism
Traditional British conservatism
definition of a nation
cultural entities; a collection of people blind together by shared values and traditions a common language religion and history
usually occupying the same geographical area
why did nationalism emerge
during french revolution
people stood up in the name of the people - the french nation
influenced by roseau and the doctrine of popular self government
it was revolutionary and democratic
what is the basic most fundamental belief of nationalism
that the nation should be the central principle of political organisation
what are the components of nationalism
religion
ethnicity
language
what nation is clearly defined by language
german unity is reflected in the purity and survival of the german language
what nations have national unity without national language
switzerland in the absence of a swiss language three languages are spoken : french german italian
example of nation united on the basis of religion
tibet
the tibetan people now in china
all owe alligenave to a single religious leader the Dalai Lama who defines their identity
example of countries united despite multiple religions
Mainland UK do not inspire rival nationalism
not had the remarkable religious diversity found in the USA threatened to divide the country
how is ethnicity a component of nationhood
Germany in nazi period
normally cultural rather than biological
reflects ethnic unity that may be based on race, but more usually draws on shared values and common beliefs
how is national identity preserved using history (shared memories or common past)
preserved by recalling past glories national independence the birthdays of national leaders or important military victories
the USA celebrates independence day and thanksgiving; bastille day is commemorated in france
BUT independence has no relevance for the majority of families arriving centuries after these events occurred
example of a nation with a strong attachment to territory
France
although the borders frequently changed
there is a strong sense of france as a historical reality
characteristics of liberal nationalism
desire for self determination
creation of democracy
preservation of liberty
who was the founder of cultural nationalism
Johnann Herder
Reflections on the Philosophy of the History of Mankind
he highlighted the uniqueness and superiority of german culture
example of political nationalism and self determination
Early 19th century Latin America
Simon Bolivar the ‘liberator’ led revolutions against Spanish Colonial rule in what is now Colombia Venezuela and Ecuador
for what reasons do nationalists uphold principle of national self determination and
political freedom
cultural cohesion
political unity
peace and international order
why do nationalists uphold self determination due to political freedom
outcome is a nation state: national statehood ensures self-government and democratic rule.
Nation-states are therefore independent entities, in which citizens can decide their own destiny regardless of external factors and interference from beyond their borders.
Nationalists have tended to argue that the nation is the highest level at which meaningful democracy can operate, suggesting that supranationalism must always be a threat to democracy and self- government.
why do nationals uphold self determination due to cultural cohesion
cultural unity, as people are united on shared values, common language.
The virtues of stability and unity are particularly stressed by conservative nationalists who are particularly concerned about the promise of social cohesion and political order that is embodied in the sentiment of national patriotism.
On the other hand, empires promote instability as people do not share the same respect for culture and values e.g. the British empire where the Saki tradition was outlawed, much to the dissatisfaction of the religious community.
why does self determination promises to deliver peace and international order
liberal nationalists, a world of nation-states offers the prospect of peace and international order, as it fosters harmony, stability and peace, and reducing the impulse for expansionism and war, a view particularly supported by liberal nationalists.
Nationalism would promote unity within each nation and brotherhood amongst all nations on the basis of mutual respect for national rights and characteristics.
This happens because democratic nation-states respect the sovereignty of their neighbours due to the principle of rationality and enlightened self interest (cooperation)
These interdependent nation-states are sufficiently rational to realise they have no incentive to wage war or subjugate others, for fear of endangering their own internal cohesion and at large material cost.
how has racialism been liked to conservative nationalism
it is based on the belief that stable and successful societies must be bound together by common culture and shared values
Enoch Powell in the 1960s with his River of Blood Speech arguing against non white immigration on the grounds that the distinctive tradition and cultures of the host community
what two theories is racialism based on
there are fundamental genetics or species type differences amongst the peoples of the world
these divisions are reflected in cultural intellectual and moral differences
how is racialism politically expressed
racial segregation eg apartheid 1948-1999
or in doctrines of racial superiority eg arts idm and inferiority anti semitism
for what purpose do conservatives support nationalism
binding and holding society together preventing social conflict
Margaret Thatcher who was faced with the class conflict faced by neoliberal policies in 1980s
arguing her radical reforms served the national interest
resisting european integration
able to unite the majority of the nation during a time of class conflict
explain the concept of volk
synthesis of race and nation
Fichte saw the german people as a close knit culture based on a narrow racial grouping, formed during the middle ages
why do nationalists pursue self determination due to imperialism
people find themselves subject to a government of a foreign power
wish to throw off subjugation
form their own soverign state
eg struggle for independence from britain by indian nationalists
why do nationalists pusue self determination due to oppression
people who have subsumed into a larger oppressive regime seek self determination to escape oppression
bosnian independence from serbia
example of the social tensions and conflicts caused by cultural nationalism
An example of this is the ban on ‘Sati’ in India (1829), the practice of burning widows on their husband’s funeral pyre which can be dated back to 3rd century BC.
After the ban, priests in Sindh region complained that the British colonial government was interfering with the rare local sati custom.
explain how expansionist nationalists has a tendency towards conflict and war
expansionist nationalism has a tendency towards bloodshed and conquest.
Expansionist nationalist champions the conquest and occupation of some inferior nations by other, more superior or ‘special’ nations.
Some expansionist nationalists hold the view that great nations have a historic duty to conquer and take other more primitive and backward countries, effectively elevating the colonised people in “civilising missions”.
This domination of the colonised population often resulted in violence and conflict, as was seen in the French and British empires.
explain how social conflict occurs due to expansionist nationalism
by nature, here is a conflict between the culture of the host country and the culture of the coloniser.
Out of the belief they are doing it for their ‘own good’ the colonising country instils their culture onto the country, as was seen in British India.
This then results in the removal of centuries old traditions and established practices that results in social tensions.
example of how the maintenance of empire involves conflict
maintenance of this empire often involves squashing rebellions and resistance.
e.g. the Indian rebellion against the British in 1857 resulted in the deaths of at least 800,000 people; more specifically, places such as Delhi, Allahabad, Kanpur and Lucknow were all met with general massacre after they were recaptured by British forces.
how do some anti-colonial nationalists advocate war and conflict
this is done to bring about national liberation
violent struggle is the only way for the colonised people to be truly free of their colonisers.
inspired by Frantz Fanon a psychologist who eventually joined the FLN in Algeria. he argued that violence was necessary for a colonised people to be free from their imperial masters, as it had a cathartic effect – arguing violence is powerful enough to bring about pyscho-political regeneration.
In this way, colonization and decolonization is not simply a political process, but also brings about a new ‘species’ of human.
example of violent anti colonial nationalist movements
The violence of the revolutionary upheavals seen in Mao Zedong’s China, Ho Chi Minh’s Vietnam and Fidel Castro’s Cuba, all act as practical examples of Fanon’s creed.
Also, the anti-colonial nationalist movements in Algeria and Kenya deliberately targeted European settler communities using quasi-terrorist tactics, further illustrating the doctrines potential to inspire violence.
how do some anti colonial nationalist promote peaceful reform
some anti-colonial nationalists advocate a peaceful struggle, seeking freedom and good relations from their colonial masters.
The implications of these ideas were seen in Ghandi’s philosophy for Indian decolonisation.
This fused Indian nationalism with an ethic of non-violence and self-spiritual condition; this lead to an anti-industrialist approach, famously embodied in his wearing of home-spun clothes.
This non-violent approach lead Ghandi to favour strategies of boycotting, protest marching, and fasting by him and his followers.
what do liberal nationalists believe the cause of war and conflict, with example
Woodrow Wilson
He believed the existence of multinational, sprawling empires that are inclined towards militarism and expansionism.
At the Paris Peace Conference this idea was advanced, as Wilson believed WW1 had been caused by an ‘old order’ dominated by autocratic and militaristic empires.
Thus there is no justification for taking resources and territory in empire, and every country should have the right to self determination
why do liberals believe self-determination is the antidote to war and conflict
Self-determination acts as the antidote to war and international rivalry: it is a means of establishing peaceful, harmonious, stable international order.
Nationalism would promote unity within each nation and brotherhood amongst all nations on the basis of mutual respect for national rights and characteristics.
This happens because democratic nation-states respect the sovereignty of their neighbours due to the principle of rationality.
These nation-states are sufficiently rational to realise they have no incentive to wage war or subjugate others, for fear of endangering their own internal cohesion.
why does conservative nationalism have a tendency for social conflict
its narrow and exclusive concept of national identity and pessimism about mass immigration arguably legitimizes xenophobia and isolates minorities causing conflict WITHIN nations.
why does conservative nationalism sometimes involve violence and conflict
Violence used defensively to preserve a national identity under attack/danger of uprising
De Gaulle and Salazar, both key conservative nationalists, employed considerable violence to try to keep control of their key colonies.
It is thus prominent when a sense of national identity is at danger of being lost
This was seen in 1982, following the Argentinean invasion and occupation of the Falkland Islands, Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher used war and conflict as a method of defending the territory which had been held since 1842.
why is it not inevitable conservatives with use violence or conflict in order to maintain empire
Pragmatism
Conservative nationalists will allow imperial breakup if there are sufficient reasons to do so. Under Harold Mac-Millan, the UK was no longer the dominant colonial power it once was.
This was made more significant by the recent Suez crisis – intervention to impose the will of the country on a colony was no longer acceptable – and the expensive nature of the colonies, they were becoming more of an economic burden than an asset (in trade).
Therefore, to avoid the threat of armed conflict, the UK’s colonies were granted decolonisation.
explain the meaning of national chauvinism
National chauvinism breeds a feeling of intense, even hysterical nationalist enthusiasm, often generated by militarism and war in drawing a sharp distinction between ‘them’ and ‘us’.
Chauvinism has commonly been reflected in racialist ideologies, which divide the world into an ‘in group’ and an ‘out group’ in which the ‘out group’ becomes the scapegoat for all the misfortunes and frustrations suffered by the ‘in group’.
distinguish between the key goals of both nationalism and racialism
Key goal of nationalism is the establishment of a nation state: to bring the borders of the state into line with the boundary of the nation as nationality and citizenship coincide. JS Mill.
Key goal of racialism is racial segregation (e.g. apartheid 1948-1993) or doctrines of racial hierarchy justifying the obliteration or enslavement of others. Nazism.
Superiority also justifies expansionism of the inferior ‘civilising missions’. For example, European settler empires e.g. scramble for Africa
example of the inclusive nature of political nationalism
For example, the Scottish National Party don’t see ethnic difference as problematic, it doesn’t preclude a feeling of Scottishness
explain how conservative nationalists are essentially backward looking and nostalgic
These nationalists view defence of historical institutions and a traditional way of life, as opposed to expansionist territorial gains. For example, de Gaule attempting to hold on to Algeria, Thatcher defending the Falklands.
It reflects on a past age of national glory or triumph, with military victories being viewed as defining features in a nation’s history.
Alongside this, traditional institutions are also seen as part of national identity; for example, the English institution of the monarchy is involved in state occasions such as opening parliament and national celebrations such as Armistice Day.
These long-standing institutions seen as the bedrock of national identity: to be celebrated and defended.
explain conservative nationalists concern with social order and cohesion
This is embodied in national patriotism: giving a sense of social rootedness
They view human nature as limited and security seeking - something a national community will offer. Thus, nations emerge naturally from the desire of human beings to live with others who possess the same views, habits and appearances of themselves.
This can be done pragmatically, to head off a threat from political revolution and instability.
Potentially hostile elements of society are appeased through a sense of belonging – e.g. Thatcher’s patriotism following social instability in the Miner’s strike.
where does conservative nationalism develop
In established nation-states, rather than in ones that are in the process of nation building.
when does conservative nationalism develop
It is particularly prominent when the sense of national identity is feeling threatened or in danger of being lost.
Immigration opposes the view that stable and successful societies must be based on shared values and a common culture, as it brings with it conflicting religions and traditions from other societies.
They are therefore hostile to immigration as an interal threat, diluting national identity e.g. Enoch Powell envisaged war on the streets as a result of ethnic tensions.
Supranational bodies such as the EU pose a seek to erode to national identity and so the cultural bonds of society; expressed in the UK as ‘euro-scepticism’ and the US viewing the UN as a threat to political power.
explain the difference in goals for political and cultural nationalists
political nationalists overtly look to the future, pursuing self-determination and sovereign statehood. Due to the Polish struggle for independence from Russia, Rosseau argued there is a natural political community vested in culturally unified people. For example, Simon Bolivar (‘the liberator’) lead independence movements across Latin America against Spanish colonial rule in the early 19th century.
By contrast cultural nationalists look to the past in a desire cultural resurrection, protection and preservation (forward looking vs backward looking), can lead to demands for cultural purity or assimilation. Johnann Herder argued for the unique superiority of German culture.
