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🌍 Chapter 6: Nationalism – Summary 🌍
1. Definition and Origins
- Nationalism is the belief that the nation is the core unit of political organization.
- Its root is the Latin nasci (“to be born”) leading to “natio” meaning a group united by birth.
- Political relevance significantly arose during the French Revolution, greatly inspired by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
- Augustin Barruel was the first to use the term “nationalism” in 1789.
2. Historical Overview
- During the French Revolution, nationalism was seen as a revolutionary and democratic force.
- The 19th century saw nationalist uprisings across Europe (e.g., 1848 revolutions) and the unification of Italy and Germany.
- The 20th century was marked by decolonization movements in Africa & Asia and the collapse of European empires driven by nationalist sentiments.
- The 21st century has witnessed a resurgence of nationalism post-globalization, evident in phenomena like Brexit, Trump's "America First" policies, and Putin’s Russia.
3. Core Themes
- The Nation: Defined by a shared culture, language, and history.
- Organic Community: The belief that nations arise naturally, not artificially.
- Self-Determination: The principle that nations have the right to govern themselves.
- Culturalism: Emphasizes pride in and preservation of a unique national culture, epitomized by Herder’s concept of Volksgeist (spirit of the people).
- Civic vs. Ethnic Nationalism: A key distinction between inclusive (civic, based on shared values/citizenship) and exclusive (ethnic, based on shared ancestry/culture) forms.
4. Types of Nationalism
Liberal Nationalism:
- Based on individual freedom and the equality of all nations.
- Strong emphasis on self-determination and international cooperation.
Conservative Nationalism:
- Focuses on maintaining order, social cohesion, and tradition within the nation.
- Often uses nationalism to resist socialism and promote patriotism.
Expansionist Nationalism:
- Characterized by chauvinism, imperialism, and a belief in national superiority.
- Historically evident in Fascist regimes and colonial conquests.
Anti-Colonial and Postcolonial Nationalism:
- The driving force behind struggles for liberation in Asia and Africa.
- Often a mix of liberal, cultural, and socialist influences.
📘 Table of Key Thinkers in Chapter 6
| Thinker | Core Idea(s) | Key Work(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Jean-Jacques Rousseau | Popular sovereignty; general will; nation as democratic expression | The Social Contract |
| Giuseppe Mazzini | Liberal nationalism; nations = moral entities with right to unity & freedom | Political writings on Italian unification |
| Johann Gottfried Herder | Cultural nationalism; Volksgeist (spirit of the people) | Philosophical writings on culture and history |
| Marcus Garvey | Black nationalism; Pan-Africanism; racial pride | Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey |
| Simon Bolivar | Independence for Latin America; liberal nationalist | Letters and speeches (e.g., Letter from Jamaica) |
| Woodrow Wilson | Self-determination; League of Nations | Fourteen Points speech |
| Sun Yat-Sen | Chinese nationalism; “Three Principles of the People” | Sanmin Zhuyi |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | Indian nationalism; liberal secularism | The Discovery of India |
| Mohandas Gandhi | Non-violent nationalism; spiritual foundation; anti-industrialism | Hind Swaraj |
| Frantz Fanon | Violent anti-colonial struggle; psychological effects of colonization | The Wretched of the Earth, Black Skin, White Masks |
| Charles Maurras | Integral nationalism; exclusionary, fascist-leaning nationalism | Writings in Action Française |
| Friedrich Jahn | German cultural nationalism; militarism | Patriotic speeches and influence on youth movements |
| Otto von Bismarck | Conservative nationalism; realpolitik | Speeches and letters |
| Disraeli | One-nation conservatism; empire and tradition | Sybil, Coningsby |
| Narendra Modi | Hindu nationalism; cultural revivalism in India | Political speeches and BJP ideology |
| Donald Trump | Economic nationalism; “America First” | Campaign speeches and executive actions |
📌 The Future of Nationalism – Key Points
- It is "not dead" despite frequent academic predictions of its demise.
- Faces internal pressures from ethnic, regional, and multiculturalist demands.
- Faces external pressures from globalization, supranational bodies (EU, UN), and ecological crises.
- Despite these challenges, nationalism remains highly resilient due to its ability to shape-shift—adapting to left, right, liberal, authoritarian, and populist movements.
- Its revival is notable in the post-Covid, post-globalization world, characterized by rising right-wing populism.