A research study looking at the impact nationalism has had on Europe and, in particular, the way in which nationalism as an ideological concept is perceived and understood.
Abstract This paper explores the assumption that the views and theories about nationalism are to a great extent determined by the dominant theories, philosophies and perceptions of the age. In this sense it is a contention of this paper that modern nationalism needs to be understood within the context of the broader issues of modern and postmodern speculative thought. This paper also attempts to ascertain the way that theorists and thinkers over the years have understood and influenced the concept and ideology of nationalism. The study therefore provides an overview of the salient most cogent theories and perspectives on the changing views of nationalism. Additionally, the paper attempts to refer these theories and counter theories to actual contemporary situations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is Nationalism?
Nationalism and Ideology
Cultural Nationalism Romanticism and Nationalism Nationalism as a Social Construction
Hobsbawm and Geller
Summations and Reflections
From the Paper "It is something of a truism to say that ethnic and nationalist movements have become a dominant force in the world in the past century. It is also relatively easy to forecast that the future of Europe will be shaped to a great extent by nationalistic imperatives and philosophies. One only has to look at the recent history of Eastern Europe and the Balkans for general and tentative conformation of these assumptions. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the fragmentation of the region have allowed nationalisms and ethnic groups to emerge in many areas. And, according to modern theorists of nationalism, we are also seeing the invention of new "nationalisms" that are being constructed by political and ideological forces - sometimes with devastating consequences."
Abstract The writer of this paper contends that the reason the internet is such a big part of globalization is due to the fact that for the first time in history, any individual in any part of the world can communicate in a completely uncensored way over the entire planet. This paper focuses on the combination of nationalism and isolationism within the realm of the internet. This paper examines the advantages of nationalism that began to flourish, thanks in large part to internet technology, as the first world nations and the rest of the industrialized world separated itself from the less capable or developed nations. This paper analyzes the numerous aspects of the internet which are far different from other mediums as it provides a way to present information in a variety of approaches, each uniquely different and targeted to a specific audience. The paper also discusses the downside to the internet and advanced technology, in that it has become a source of isolationism in many third world countries. The writer claims that internet access on a global scale has a definite negative stigma which has been termed the 'digital divide.' This paper examines how the movement of globalization and strong nationalism has isolated third world nations. The writer contends that while nationalism flourishes, attention must be given to the those third world countries that have become more and more isolated due to their inability to bring technology to their citizens.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Internet
Nationalism & Globalization
Isolationism
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "The internet is basically a way for organizations, parties and movements to present them selves in the same way as we would look at a magazine, newspaper, radio shows or television presentations. The unique aspects of the Internet that is different from these other mediums because it provides a way to present information in a plethora of ways, each way uniquely different for however the target audiences may be. In the same respect, the Internet can personalize 'homepages,' or web sites to also present a very individual message for different audiences. The Internet, therefore, is a much more public and at the same time personal provider of information. This also entails that a majority of the Internet is completely dominated by individual users such as newsgroups, chats, BBS while other parts are completely commercial business related."
Abstract This paper attempts to provide a more critical examination of what is meant by nationalism by looking to two works of fiction ? the 1919 Mr Standfast by John Bucan and the 1933 mystery novel Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Both of these novels develops ideas of nationalism that are rooted in the historical concerns of these moments in time. Both in many ways now seem to us rather quaintly nostalgic. However, it is important to understand how very much the ideas ? and ideals ? of nationalism that are expressed in these two books are still with us today.
From the paper:
"We are currently surrounded with reminders of how the fabric of nationalism is woven: This has, of course, been especially true since the attacks on American on the 11th of September. It has become increasingly difficult to go anywhere now without seeing flags or other forms of patriotism and nationalism. And yet, while the heart may indeed swell at such demonstrations, the current uprising of nationalist sentiment provides a moment not only for us to join together in mutually felt pride in our nation but also to examine precisely what it is that nationalism means."
Abstract This paper explains that Umut Ozkirimli stated in ?Theories of Nationalism? that nationalism has been around for more than two hundred years, but serious scholarly examinations of the origins and spread of nationalism did not begin to pick up momentum until after WWII. The author points out that this book is best when arguing Ozkirimli's perspective and bringing others? views to light. The paper relates that Anthony Smith's book seeks to separate ?nationalism? from ?national identity?.
From the Paper "Smith points out that Gellner (whose ideas and work appear on 44 pages of Ozkirimli's book, but in only 3 pages of Smith's book), the ?modernist,? says nationalism (page 71) ?is not the awakening of nations to self-consciousness; it invents nations where they do not exist,? albeit it does need some "pre-existing differentiating marks to work on"? That statement is disputable, given the nationalism that has run its course in the 20th Century. Did Hitler awaken Germany to self-consciousness in the late 1930s, adroitly exploiting the German common man's resentment for the outcome of WWI? The answer has to be yes."
Abstract This paper argues that ,while environmental treaties are justified in their interference with issues traditionally related to state sovereignty, such interference allows nations to challenge environmental treaties. It explains that this was very clear in the case of the Convention on Climate Change when several nations, such as the United States and China, refused to abide by the treaty, and even more, did not follow its terms even after agreeing to them. The writer points out that one of the most noticeable factors here is that it is mainly the industrialized or developed nations that have the power and strength to openly defy these treaties, while the Third World countries cannot for the simply reason that financial aid is, to some degree, partly dependant upon their national environmental laws. In this sense, an imbalance develops whereby the developed world has the choice to either reject or accept those treaties, and the Third World largely does not. From an analysis of this imbalance, and after proving it with reference to a number of global environmental treaties, this paper argues that the only solution lies in the creation of an international body for global environmental governance in which nations, regardless of their economic and political status, are equally represented. The aim of such a body would be to ensure respect for environmental treaties, eliminate imbalance,s and respond to one basic truth: the environment is a shared space, and one nation's abuse of it affects the lives of all people across the world. Thus, state sovereignty is an irrelevant issue here, as no nation has sovereignty over the environment.
From the Paper "The concept of national sovereignty has, since the emergence of nation-states, been regarded as sacred. At least, citizens and national governments have regarded their nation's sovereignty as sacred. That attitude was eventually transferred into law. Thereby, international law and treaties currently acknowledge and protect the principle of national sovereignty, conceding to a nation's rights to self determination and to resistance of external interventions in internal or national policies and decision making processes. However, while sovereignty is a popularly acknowledged and jealously protected political principle, sovereignty is not absolute and has its limitations. These limitations are defined by the interests of other nations and the collective welfare of all people and countries. Hence, no nation is absolutely sovereign and no government has the authority to act as it wishes within its national borders, arguing that it is protected by the principle of sovereignty. The simple fact of the matter is that in various international issues, most especially those relating to environmental policies, no country should have absolute sovereignty since, as emphasized by Robert Goodland and Herman Daly, the environment is not national but international or "universal" (1002-1003). Consequently, as relates to the environment, the concept of national sovereignty is a contentious issue."
Abstract This paper looks at how nationalism is ostensibly a term which covers such elements as national consciousness, the expression of national identity and loyalty to the nation. It analyses the concepts of civic and ethnic nationalism and attempts to highlight some of the contrasting aspects, while, at the same time, examine connections between the two ideologies which strive for the establishment, retention or advancement of a nation state. It contains a theoretical, as well as practical discussion of the two forms, citing examples from Europe and South East Asia.
From the Paper "Ethnic nationalism usually refers to nationalism determined by descent. Ethnic attachments are inherited rather than chosen, and those who exercise an ethnic form of nationalism are generally considered to be those who have been adversely affected by the political development of alternative civic societies elsewhere - the Jews in pre-war Europe, the Kurds in northern Iraq/eastern Turkey or the Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo to name but three examples. Subject to the dominance of, and perceiving an inferiority to, such other territorially demarcated nation states, these individuals, feeling the need to adopt statehood in order to survive and progress, unite into groups, with the intention of achieving political recognition in the form of their own nation states."
Abstract In this article, the writer compares and contrasts the League of Nations and the United Nations as international organizations formed to maintain peace and international cooperation. The writer discusses the League's role in reducing international tensions and its limited effectiveness. Further, the writer discusses the complexity of the United Nations as an organization.
From the Paper Inis L. Claude stated that 'One World' is in some respects an idea land an aspiration born of modern interpretations of ancient moral thoughts and of rational estimates of the requirements for human survival. Both the League of Nations and its successor the United Nations were created as international organizations with a vested interest in maintaining the peace, preventing war, creating a mechanism or set of mechanisms for international cooperation and diplomacy and otherwise serving as trustees of ... "
Abstract Even though these concepts seem very similar, this paper uses contemporary examples to show the difference between a nation and a nation-state. It discusses the history of Zionism, the "Nation of Islam" quest by African-Americans, and the ongoing wars in the Balkans. It also looks at different factors taken into account when defining these concepts - religion, history and culture.
From the Paper "Defining the difference between a nation and a nation-state can seem more like a bit of philosophical hair-splitting than a useful distinction for a political scientist to make in analyzing the present global situation. However, to better understand the assumptions that underline the terms of "nation" and "nation state" it is useful to unpack such concepts before passing judgement on what is a nation or a nation state in the real world of lived political existence."
Tags:nationalism, culture, religion, history, society, zionism, balkan
This paper reviews Minxin Pei's article "The Paradoxes of American Nationalism" and discusses the two paradoxes Pei has identified regarding American nationalism.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract Nationalism in the United States is somewhat a blurred idea in the political arena. In the article "The Paradoxes of American Nationalism" Minxin Pei identifies two paradoxes of American nationalism at a general level and at the policymaking level. First, the United States is a highly nationalistic country but it is not regarded as nationalistic. Second, on a similar count policymakers in the United States have a very poor appreciation of the power of nationalism.
Abstract This paper discusses Boyd Shafer's definition of the meaning of modern nationalism in his book "Faces of Nationalism: New Realities and Old Myths", as well as the authors take on the realities and myths of modern nationalism. The paper further discusses Shafer's belief in internationalism over nationalism and provides some biographical data on author as well.
From the Paper Shafer's "Faces of Nationalism" is an expansion and reinterpretation of his book, "Nationalism: Myth and Reality". In the preface to the book Shafer cites his purpose as a historical study of the faces, the realities and myths of modern nationalism. In spite of more than two books on the subject as well as learned papers, Shafer states that he does not believe that he..."
Abstract This paper reviews Liah Greenfeld's 1992 book "Nationalism: Five Roads to Modernity". The paper looks at the book's concept of nationalism and its development and transformation in England, France, Russia, Germany and the United States. The paper explains Greenfield's idea that nationalism is a historical force that plays a significant role in shaping national identity.
From the Paper "Author Liah Greenfeld is an eminent authority on the subject of nationalism. After receiving her doctoral degree from the Hebrew University, specializing in sociology and social anthropology she became an instructor in the United States and currently is a professor at Boston University in sociology and political science. In tracing the rise of nationalism, Greenfeld employs an interdisciplinary approach that combines political science with sociology, mainly the theories of Max Weber. Using Weber's idea, Greenfeld views modernity..."
Tags:Nationalism, Modernity, Greenfeld, England, France, Russia, Germany, USA, Book, Historical
Abstract The paper discusses how Canada is a country that may be seen either as rich in diversity, or as challenged by diversity. Whatever one's take, the paper contends that the truth is that the country is as diverse as it is large. In this essay, it is argued that although this results in intense challenges to Canada's existence as a single, unified nation, it nevertheless remains true that Canada is a viable nation-building project. The paper maintains that despite diversity and despite various claims to distinctness, Canada maintains its integrity as a single, unified nation, with a discernible national identity that is unlike any other.
Abstract The paper argues that there is no single theory that fully explains the causes of nationalism. The paper explains the idea of nationalism and explores its causes and effects. The paper then shows how nationalism in the later half of the 19th century was caused by several different factors and had both national and global implications.
From the Paper "As nationalism is a term that has many different meanings, the following paragraphs are committed to explaining the idea of nationalism as it will be used in this essay in order to avoid any confusion that may otherwise arise. Nationalism and nation are two terms inescapably linked and in order to understand what nationalism is, one must first have an understanding of what a nation is. Benedict Anderson, the emeritus of international studies at Cornell University described a nation as an imagined community of perceived equals who are loyal to that community. This is said in the sense that not everyone in the community will ever meet each other or even know of each other, but where a sense of community exists nevertheless and where people feel such a bond to that community that they are compelled to be loyal to it. It is important to note that a nation is not necessarily a state (a political unit), although a nation can be created from a state or vice versa."
This paper defines the origins of the modern nation-state as it is traced directly to the political developments in Europe at the beginning of the sixteenth century.
Abstract The writer uses the work of George A. Kourvetaris and his concepts of state, government, nation, and nation-state to build the essay. He states that these concepts are closely related, but not identical. Kourvetaris defines the nation as being sociological, but considers the state as more a political, legal, and territorial construct (Kourvetaris, p.58).
From the Paper "In contrast, a nation can exist without its having a formal government. The concept of "nation" is very closely linked to the existence of ethnic, cultural, religious, or social groupings. While it is most common for the nation and the state to be politically congruent, there are many examples of national groupings that do not have a state that exists independently. The concept of "nation-state" expresses the political ideal of each national group having its own state, recognized formally by other nation-states."
Discussion on the political use of nationalism in post-Soviet Russia and the consequences of this nationalism in Russia and its non-Russian providences.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 11 sources, 2002, $ 89.95
Abstract This paper has two main objectives: first, to briefly sketch the impact of nationalism on the political system of post-Soviet Russia; and second, to describe how competing groups (vis-a-vis Russia) define themselves and use nationalism to legitimize their political aims, and sometimes also the crimes and brutalities that are spin-offs of the actualizing process.
