I. Nations, Nation-States & Nationalism: Traditional political orientation
A. Nations
1. Demographic & cultural similarities
2. Feeling of community
3. Desire to be politically separate
B. Nation-States
1. Combination of state & nation (in theory)
2. Inconsistent b/c
a. Many states have multiple nations
b. Many nations overlap multiple states
C. Nationalism
1. Sense of essential political identity that dictates action
2. Unifies state, nation, & nation-state
a. transforms identity
i. sentimental attachment to homeland ii. sense of identity, self-esteem based on nationalism iii. motivation to help country
? What are ‘markers’ of nationhood, or identifying characteristics
II. Evolution of Nationalism
A. Rise of nationalism
1. Development of secular monarchs
2. Creation of nationalistic popular culture
3. Concept of popular sovereignty; England to US, French revolutions
B. Predicted Decline after WWII
1. Experience w/destructive power (Nazism, fascism)
2. Development of nuclear weapons
3. Emphasis on free trade, economic interdependence
C. Persistent Nationalism
1. Anti-imperialism – independence movements in LDCs
2. Contemporary European nationalism: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, FSRs
3. Newly formed countries need unity
a. New countries – ex) East Timor
b. Nationalist stirrings: Great Britain—Scottish, Irish, Welsh; Spain – Basques & Catalans; US?
4. Limitations – growing world consciousness, waning nationalism (?)
III. Nationalism: Builder & Destroyer (costs & benefits)
A. The Beneficent Face of Nationalism
1. Promotes democracy (popular sovereignty)
2. Encourages self-determination, diversity & experimentation
3. Discourages imperialism/outside control
4. Promotes economic development – grow the motherland!
keep control of own resources (vs. colony)
B. The Troubled Face of Nationalism
Only about 10% of countries have ‘ideal’ nation-state congruence (90%+ of one nation, 90% living domestically)
1. Relations w/others (Us vs. Them mentality)
reluctance to help ‘others’/’them’
a. Xenophobia & minority oppression
exclusionism, anti-migration b. Exceptionalism – own culture as superior
(graph pg. 120)
c. Internal oppression:
(Ethnic cleansing, subordinate status)
