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