Nationalism Class 11 Political Science

Introducing Nationalism

• Nationalism has played a significant role in shaping history over the past two centuries. It has been a source of both unity and division among people, leading to liberation from oppressive rule as well as causing conflicts, bitterness, and wars. Throughout its evolution, nationalism has undergone many phases.

• In the 19th century, nationalism led to the unification of small kingdoms into larger nation-states in Europe, resulting in the formation of present-day Germany and Italy. 
• However, it also contributed to the disintegration of large empires like the Austro-Hungarian and Russian empires in early 20th century Europe, as well as the British, French, Dutch, and Portuguese empires in Asia and Africa.
• The process of redrawing state boundaries is an ongoing phenomenon. Even today, there are nationalist struggles in many parts of the world that pose a threat to existing states. 
• Such separatist movements have emerged among the Quebecois in Canada, the Basques in northern Spain, the Kurds in Turkey and Iraq, and the Tamils in Sri Lanka, among other regions.
  
  Question for Chapter Notes: Nationalism

  Try yourself:

  Which of the following is an example of a nationalist struggle based on the information provided?

  • A.

    Quebecois in France
  • B.

    Basques in Italy
  • C.

    Kurds in Turkey and Iraq
  • D.

    Tamils in Japan

  Explanation

  - The Kurds in Turkey and Iraq are an example of a nationalist struggle seeking autonomy and independence based on their unique cultural and ethnic identity.

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Nations and Nationalism

• A nation is not just a random group of people living together.

• It is different from a family, where members know each other personally.

• It is also different from tribes or clans, where people are connected through marriage or blood relations and can trace those connections.

• In a nation, most people may never meet or know each other, and they may not be related by blood — yet, they feel connected.

• People often think that a nation is made up of people with common features like:
  - Same language
  - Same religion
  - Same ethnicity or ancestry

• But in reality, not all nations share these features:
  - Canada has both English and French speakers.
  - India has many different languages spoken across various regions.
  - Many nations do not share a common religion or race.

• So, what makes a nation?
  - A nation is mostly an ‘imagined’ community.
  - People feel a sense of belonging through shared beliefs, hopes, and imagination.
  - They believe they are part of a larger group — even without meeting most members.

• This shared identity is built on assumptions people make about the group they belong to.

• The next step is to understand what these assumptions are.

Shared Beliefs

• A nation is formed by belief, not by physical things like rivers, mountains, or buildings.

• Nations are not physical objects that we can see or touch — they exist because people believe in them.

• When we call a group of people a nation, we are not talking about how they look or behave, but about:
  - Their shared identity
  - Their common dreams for the future
  - Their desire for independent political existence (to rule themselves)

• A nation is like a team:
  - A team is a group of people who work or play together and see themselves as one unit.
  - If the people didn’t think of themselves as a team, they would just be individuals doing tasks separately.

• Similarly, a nation only exists when its people believe that they are connected and belong together.

History

• Those who identify as a nation carry a sense of ongoing historical identity.
• This continuity and unity form the foundation of the Indian nation.
• Nations view themselves as extending both into the past and into the future.
• They express their historical sense through shared memories, stories, and records.
• Nationalists in India asserted that the country has a long and continuous history as a civilization, highlighting its ancient cultural heritage and achievements.

Territory

• Nations associate with a specific territory that they claim as their own.
• A shared history and long-term residence in a territory foster a sense of collective identity.
• The land they inhabit holds special meaning for them.
• This connection helps them envision themselves as a united people, leading them to refer to a homeland.
• Different nations may describe their homeland in various ways, such as motherland, fatherland, or holy land.
• For example, the Jewish people, despite being spread across the globe, have consistently regarded Palestine as their original homeland, the 'promised land.'

Shared Political Ideals

• Members of a nation have a common vision for the type of state they wish to create, affirming values like democracy, secularism, and liberalism.
• A shared set of political values and ideals is essential for a political community or nation-state. This creates obligations among members based on mutual recognition of each other's rights as citizens.
• A nation becomes stronger when its people recognise and accept their responsibilities towards one another.

Common Political Identity

• Many individuals consider a shared cultural identity, such as a common language or ancestry, to be a unifying factor for a nation. 
• Celebrating the same holidays and festivals and valuing the same symbols can create a sense of community. However, it can also put democratic values at risk.
•  This is because major religions are internally diverse, with various sects differing in their interpretations of religious texts and norms. Additionally, most societies are culturally diverse, with people of different religions and languages residing in the same area.

• Therefore, it is preferable to conceptualize the nation in political rather than cultural terms for these reasons. In other words, democracies should prioritize and anticipate loyalty to a set of values, which may be enshrined in the country's Constitution, rather than attachment to a specific religion, race, or language.
  
  Question for Chapter Notes: Nationalism

  Try yourself:What is the basis of a nation?

  • A.

    Common ancestry and language.
  • B.

    Historical continuity and unity.
  • C.

    Celebrating the same holidays and festivals.
  • D.

    Shared political ideals.

  Explanation

  According to the text, the idea of a nation is built on historical continuity and unity, rather than common ancestry, language, or shared cultural practices. This historical continuity gives people a sense of belonging and collective identity, forming the foundation of a nation.

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National Self-Determination

• A nation wants to govern itself and decide its own future — this is called the right to self-determination.

• By demanding this right, a nation asks the international community to recognize it as a separate political state.

• These demands usually come from groups of people who have:
  - Lived together in one place for a long time
  - A shared sense of identity
  - A desire to protect their culture

• In 19th century Europe, people began to believe that each culture should have its own state.

• After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles created new countries based on this idea.

• But it was impossible to fulfill all self-determination demands, and many people were forced to migrate, lost their homes and became victims of violence and displacement.

• Trying to create states based on single cultures caused:
  a) Mass migration
  b) Communal violence
  c) Homelessness for millions
• Even new states created during this time had:
  - More than one ethnic or cultural group
  - Minorities who were often treated unequally
• The challenge of giving minorities equal rights continued to be a major issue.
• Colonised countries in Asia and Africa also demanded self-determination through freedom struggles. These movements wanted:
  a) Recognition
  b) Dignity
  c) Justice and rights
  d) Prosperity for their people
• However, it was hard to give political independence to every cultural group that claimed to be a nation. This led to Border conflicts, Migration &Violence.
• Many independent nations now deny self-determination to their own minorities, even though they once fought for it themselves.
• Almost every country today faces problems with self-determination movements.

• People are realizing that the solution is not creating more new states. Instead, existing states should become more democratic and inclusive. People of different cultures and ethnicities should live together as equal citizens.

• This is necessary to solve self-determination issues, build strong and united nations and gain the loyalty of all people, including minorities.
  

Nationalism and Pluralism

• When we abandon the idea of one culture for one state, we need to find ways for different cultures to thrive together.

 Protection of Minority Communities

• Many democratic societies now focus on recognizing and protecting the identities of cultural minority communities.
• The Indian Constitution has detailed provisions to protect the rights of religious, linguistic, and cultural minorities

Group Rights

• Various countries grant rights to minority groups, including:
  (i) Constitutional protections for their languages, cultures, and religions.
  (ii) Rights to representation in legislative bodies and state institutions.

Justification for Rights

• These rights help ensure equal treatment and legal protection for minority group members, as well as safeguard their cultural identity.

 Inclusive National Identity

• The national identity should be defined in an inclusive way, recognizing the contributions of all cultural communities.

 Continued Aspirations

• While recognition and protection may address some aspirations, some groups may still seek separate statehood.
• This desire for nationalism persists even in an age of globalization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the right to national self-determination has traditionally been linked to the idea of independent statehood for distinct cultural groups, granting every group this status is both impractical and potentially harmful. Instead, we should focus on recognizing and protecting the diverse identities within a state through democratic rights.

As we navigate a world rich in cultural identities, it's crucial to honor these identities without allowing them to foster division or conflict. Each individual embodies multiple identities—such as those based on gender, caste, religion, and language. When people feel free to express all aspects of their identity, the demand for exclusive political recognition may diminish.

Imagine a vibrant tapestry woven from many threads, each representing a unique identity. Our goal is to create a society where all these threads are celebrated and respected, contributing to a beautiful, cohesive whole. By embracing diversity and ensuring everyone has a voice, we can build a united community that thrives on its differences.