Nationalism (Lec 5) Flashcards
Nationalism
Can be argued to be a product of the 1789 French Revolution.
It is the belief that that the nation is (should be) the most basic principle of political organization
Nationalism and International Relations
Nationalism and nationhood are related to all the great issues of IR, namely: nation & state, sovereignty, self-determination, colonialism/decolonization, migration, etc.
Primordialism
The theory that nations are ancient and deep rooted. Fashioned out of psychology, culture and biology
Dominant Themes of Primordialism
People are inherently group oriented
National identity is forged by 3 key factors: common descent, a sense of territorial belonging, shared language
Nations are historical entities
Nationalism is characterized by emotional attachments that resemble kinship ties
Modernists
Suggest nationalism is forged in response to social and historical circumstance
Specifically the emergence of industrialization
Key Themes of Modernism
Industrial/capital economies weakened traditional social ties and created new social tensions which created a need for a unifying national identity
States play a key role in constructing a national identity
Mass literacy/education contributed to the construction of national identity
Realist View
They do not place much emphasis on nationalism but do view it positively. They see it as a key component of state power and internal cohesion which consolidates external effectiveness of state
National interests - nationalism helps imply that universal values are defective
Liberal View
Long history of endorsing nationalism
(liberal nationalism)
View nations as civic entities making their nationalism tolerant and inclusive
Self-determination of a nation as a universal right (suggesting their form of nationalism is to the benefit of all)
View nationalism and internationalism as complementary (free trade, intergovernmentalism, - international rule of law etc,)
Marxists
Nationalism as an example of ‘false consciousness’
Meant to prevent the working class from seeing their exploitation and prevent social revolution
Social Constructivists
Critical of primordialist view of nationalism; ‘fixed’ identities. National belonging is constructed.
Nations are fashioned by nationalism itself (‘invented traditions’ - Hobsbawms)
Poststructuralist/Postmodernist
A (collection of) narrative(s) are at the center of nationalism. The story of nationhood are told through history books, works of fiction, which place emphasis on a foundational myth that makes the nation appear extremely ancient and unique.
Civic nationalism
Emphasizes political allegiances based on a vision of a community of equal citizens; allows respect for ethnic and cultural diversity that does not challenge core civic values
Ethnic Nationalism
A form that emphasizes the organic and ethnic unity of the nation. Aims to promote cultural homogeny to strengthen national spirit
Classical Nationalism
Strongly associated with liberal ideas. Believes nation is organic and humanity is naturally divided into a collection of nations
**Links idea of nation with belief in popular sovereignty
(Commitment to national self-determination)
National Self-Determination
The principle that a nation is a sovereign entity
National independence and democratic rule
Nationalism & Conflict
Nationalism can be used in an expansionist manner which leads to militarism, aggression and war.
It is when one nation places their right to self-determination above anothers.
Ethnic cleansing (anti semitism in Germany; Russia)
Expansionist Nationalism
The key theme of this type of nationalism is chauvinism (the idea that one state/nation is better than all the others)
It also places greater emphasis on the ethnic side of nationalism
Interesting Example for Nationalism
Yugoslavia
(consisted of Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro)
Migration & Nation
Migration has been part of the human experience for thousands of years
Our modern nation states cannot claim to have always lived where they do now
Ethnically diverse nations:
- forcible movement of people - slavery, war, discrimination
- voluntary movement - eceonomic reasons
Transnational & Multinational communities
Globalization means that more communities are transnational and are able to keep ties with multiple countries
Cannot control the flow of people (labour) across borders just as money and goods are flowed
By the 1990s most countries have accepted multinationalism and stopped forcing narratives of assimilation
