Nationalism Notes in English Class 11 Political Science Chapter-7 Book-2

 

What is the common understanding of the word nationalism? 

• patriotism

• National flag 

• Sacrifice for the country

• patriotism 

• The Republic Day parade in Delhi is an unmatched symbol of Indian nationalism 

Nationalism 

• Over the past 200 years, nationalism has emerged as an important political principle and  has contributed to the shaping of history. 

• It has inspired loyalties as well as deep animosities. 

• It has united the people and also divided them. 

• While it helped in getting freedom from tyrannical rule,  it has also been the cause of protests, bitterness and wars.

• Nationalism has gone through many phases. 

• Example - In 19th century Europe it paved the way for the establishment of larger nation-states by the unification of many small principalities. 

• Today's Germany and Italy were formed through this process of unification and consolidation.

• A large number of new states were also established in Latin America.

• The people of the new nations acquired a new political identity,  based on membership in the nation state. 

fall of empires

• Nationalism has also been a part  of the downfall of big empires  .

• Nationalism was at the root of the disintegration of the Austrian-Hungarian and Russian empires in Europe in the early twentieth century, as well as  the British, French, Dutch, and Portuguese empires in Asia and Africa.

• The process of redrawing the boundaries of nations is still ongoing. Since the 1960s, even apparently stable nation-states have been facing nationalist demands raised by certain groups or regions.  These demands include the demand for a separate state. 

• Today in many parts of the world we can see nationalist conflicts that are threatening the existence of existing nations.

• Such separatist movements are carried out by  Quebecers in Canada,  Basques in northern Spain,  Kurds in Turkey and Iraq,  and Tamils ​​in Sri Lanka, among other places  .

Nation and nationalism

• A nation is not a mere accidental group  but a distinct social formation,  distinct from other human groups. 

• It differs from  a family, tribal group, ethnic community or  any other kinship group because it is not based on direct relations,  lineage or marriage.

Differences between nation and other social groups:

1. Separated from family:

• The family is based on direct relationships.

• All the members of the family know each other personally  .

2.Different from tribal and ethnic groups:

• In these the members are related by hereditary relations.

• Relationships are established through marriage and family tradition.

• There is a shared history and ancestry to establish identity  .

3.Special character of the nation:

• Most of the members of the nation do not know each other personally.

• There is no necessarily a shared language, religion or ethnic identity.

• Yet the people of the nation live in it and accept its identity.

4. Nation building process:

• Nations are often believed to be based on clan, language, religion or ethnicity.

• But, in reality any one particular quality is not found equally in all nations.

• Many nations do not have a common language, such as  Canada, where English and French are the dominant languages.

• Even countries like India have many languages ​​and religions  but still it is united as a nation.

5. Nation: An imagined community

• The nation is like an 'imaginary community'.

• It is built on the shared values, beliefs and aspirations of its members.

• People associate certain beliefs with the nation and establish their identity through that.

shared beliefs

• First, nations are built through belief. Nations are not like mountains, rivers or buildings that we can see and touch. They are also not things that exist independent of people's beliefs. 

• Calling a society's people a nation is not a comment on their physical characteristics or conduct. It is evidence of a collective identity and vision for the future of the group, which aspires to an independent political existence. In this sense, a nation can be compared to a team. 

• When we talk about a team, we mean a group of people who work or play together and, more importantly,  consider themselves as a unified group. 

• If they do not think of themselves in this way, they will lose their status as a team and will be reduced to just different individuals playing or working together. A nation can only survive if its members believe that they have each other's back.

Shared beliefs and the concept of nation

1. Relationship between nation and faith:

• Nation is not like any physical object (like mountain, river or building) which we can see or touch.

• The existence of a nation is entirely based on the shared faith of the people.

• To consider a group as a nation is based only on their physical characteristics or 

• It is not based on behaviour, but is linked to a collective identity and vision.

• This belief establishes the nation as an independent political entity.

2. Comparing Nation to Team:

• The nation can be seen as a team.

• A team is a group that works together and considers itself a unified group.

• If a team doesn’t have a sense of unity about itself, it will simply be a group of disparate individuals.

• Similarly, if there is no feeling of mutual trust and unity among the people of a nation, then the existence of the nation may be in danger.

3. Survival and unity of the nation:

• A nation survives as long as its citizens believe that they are connected to each other.

• This belief is based on political, cultural and social elements.

• If this sense of commonality among members of a nation is lost,  it can lead to division and instability in the nation.

The role of history

1. Nation and historical identity:

• People who see themselves as a nation have an enduring sense of identity about their past and future.

• A nation is not only a unit of the present, but it also embodies the memories of the past and the aspirations of the future.

• Nations create shared historical events, legends and records to solidify their existence.

2. Awareness of history and nationalism:

• The historical identity of a nation is linked to its civilization, culture and continuity.

• Indian nationalists tried to prove that Indian civilization was ancient, rich and linked by an unbroken continuity.

• History is presented as evidence of the unity and existence of the nation.

3. Awareness of history and nationalism in India:

• Indian nationalists claimed that India was an ancient civilisation, maintaining cultural heritage and continuity.

• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wrote in his book 'Discovery of India' that  despite diversity, there is a deep impression of unity in India.

• This unity has lasted for centuries, no matter what political changes took place.

4. The role of historical memories:

Shared historical memories are important for nation building.  Historical events, heroes, struggles and achievements strengthen the nation's collective identity.  History is used to preserve national unity, pride and cultural heritage.

i. Territory and National Identity:

• The identity of most nations is linked to a specific geography.

• Long-term residence in a particular area and the historical memories associated with it give people a collective identity.

• This geography is not just a place to live, but also holds emotional and cultural significance.

ii. The concept of homeland:

People who see themselves as a nation often talk about a homeland. They claim ownership of their place of residence and consider it part of their cultural heritage. Different nations express their homeland in different ways:

• Some call it Motherland.

• Some call it Fatherland.

• Some consider it sacred land.

iii. Historical examples:

Jewish community:  The Jewish people were scattered in different countries for a long time. But they always considered Palestine as their homeland.  They saw it as "heaven".

Geography and National Identity of India:

• The identity of the Indian nation is linked to the geography of Ganga, Yamuna, Himalayas, Vindhyachal etc.

• The rivers, mountains and plains here are an integral part of Indian culture.

• India is seen as the "motherland", which strengthens national sentiment.

5. Homeland and Struggle:

When more than one group claims a territory, a situation of conflict arises.

Example:

• Israel–Palestine dispute

• India-Pakistan Kashmir dispute

• Conflict between Tibet and China

• Historical claims to homeland, religious beliefs, and political ideologies are major causes of conflict.

Shared political ideals and national identity

1. The importance of a shared political vision:

• A nation is not constituted only by territory and historical identity, but also by a shared vision for the future among its citizens.

• The people of the nation are not only attached to their past, but they also have a collective desire for an independent political existence.

• It is this shared vision of the future that distinguishes nations from other social groups.

2. Political identity of the nation:

• The members of a nation share a vision of what kind of state they want to build.

• They accept democracy, secularism, liberalism and other values.

• These political principles help to integrate the nation and strengthen the collective spirit among citizens.

3. Democracy and national unity:

• Democracy provides an inclusive and equality based system to the nation.

• All citizens have the right to expression, participation and decision making.

• This makes the nation an organised and permanent political unit.

4. Secularism and Liberalism:

• Secularism ensures that there is no discrimination on the basis of religion in the nation.

• Liberalism encourages individual liberty, human rights, and pluralism.

• These principles promote tolerance and mutual respect among the citizens of the nation.

Shared political identity and nation building

1. National identity: political versus cultural basis

• Some believe that a shared political vision is not enough to hold a nation together, but that language, ethnicity and cultural identity are necessary.

• Common language makes communication easier, common religion brings similarity in social customs and cultural symbols increase collective bonding.

• But the idea of ​​a nation based solely on cultural identity can pose a threat to democratic values.

2. Problems of a nation based on cultural identity

(a) Diversity of religion:

• All major religions are internally diverse and contain many sects and sub-groups within them.

• There are different interpretations of the rules and texts of religion.

• If one religion is made the identity of the nation, it may violate the rights of other religions and their followers.

• This can create a dominating and oppressive society.

(b) Linguistic and Cultural Diversity:

• In most societies people of different languages ​​and cultures live together.

• If membership of a state is linked to a particular language or religion, some groups may be alienated.

• This would impede religious freedom and citizens speaking non-national languages ​​could face discrimination.

• This would go against democratic values ​​like equality and freedom.

3. Political imagination of the nation and democracy

• The nation should be based not on cultural grounds, but on political values ​​and shared ideals.

• Democracy does not require affiliation to any particular religion, race or language, but it is based on the Constitution and the principle of equal citizenship.

• Citizens have to pledge allegiance to a set of values, which can be recorded in the Constitution.

4. Characteristics of a democratic nation:

• All citizens should get equal opportunities and rights.

• The nation's identity should be based on common political ideals rather than linking it to any one religion, language or caste.

• The Constitution and the law should be made the basis of the nation's unity and democratic values.

National self-determination

• The right to national self-determination is the principle  under which a nation seeks the right to determine its own political, economic, social and cultural policies. This right demands recognition and acceptance from the international community. The concept of self-determination is particularly important for groups that have lived on a particular territory for a long time and have a shared identity.

Historical background of self-determination:

• The demand for the right to self-determination became particularly strong in nineteenth century Europe, when the concept of 'one culture-one state' emerged.

• After World War I, new nation-states were created through the Treaty of Versailles (1919). However, it was not possible to meet all the self-determination demands.

• The shift in boundaries and population displacement caused massive humanitarian crisis, which also led to increased communal violence.

Challenges of self-determination: -

• Redrawing of boundaries:  Redrawing boundaries for different cultural and ethnic groups  leads to displacement and conflict.

• Status of Minorities:  Minority communities often faced discrimination and persecution in the newly formed nation-states.

• Political instability:  The demand for the right to self-determination often threatens the integrity of nation-states, leading to internal conflict.

• Colonial conflicts:  Colonial nations in Asia and Africa gained independence based on the principle of self-determination, but ethnic and cultural conflicts persisted even in the newly independent countries.

Solutions and Contemporary Approaches:

• Today, the solution lies not in creating new nation-states, but in making existing states more democratic and inclusive.

• All cultural and racial groups should be accepted as equal citizens.

• To promote mutual respect and cooperation between different communities.

• To implement constitutional and legal measures for the protection of the rights of minorities.

Nationalism and Pluralism

• Having abandoned the idea of ​​'one culture-one state',  it becomes necessary to  think of ways in which different cultures and communities can flourish in the same country. 

• To achieve this goal, many democratic countries have initiated measures to acknowledge and preserve the identity of cultural minority communities.

• The Indian Constitution contains elaborate provisions for the protection of religious, linguistic and cultural minorities.

• The rights granted to groups in different countries  include: 

• Right to constitutional protection of language, culture and religion of minority groups and their members. 

• In some cases these groups also have the right to representation in legislative bodies and other state institutions

• These rights provide for equal treatment and protection under the law for members of these groups, as well as protection of the cultural identity of the group.

• While it is expected that granting recognition and protection to groups will satisfy their aspirations, 

• Nevertheless, some groups may persist in their demand for a separate state. 

• To deal with such demands in a democratic manner it is necessary that the countries concerned display utmost generosity and efficiency.

• We live in a world that is increasingly conscious of the importance of recognising the identities of groups. 

• Today we are witnessing many such struggles for the recognition of group identity and using the language of nationalism. 

• What is needed is that we accept the veracity of their claims to national identity 

• But this does not mean that we should sympathize with intolerant and mono-ethnic forms of nationalism.