Ethnonationalism and Civic Nationalism

Key Concepts

• Civic Nationalism vs. Ethnonationalism

  • Civic Nationalism: Based on shared values, laws, and political institutions; characterized as liberal and inclusive.

  • Ethnonationalism: Based on ethnicity, culture, and shared history; generally perceived as exclusionary and intolerant.

  • The distinction is blurred in the context of migrant discourses in Australia, where civic nationalism often conceals ethnonationalist sentiments.

Rhetorical Shifts in Discourse

• Changing Language

  • As overtly racist rhetoric declines, discussions about migrants emphasize adherence to laws as a measure of acceptance.

  • Migrants, particularly Muslims, are often framed as inherently incompatible with Australian laws and values.

Empirical Investigations

• Focus Groups

  • Analysis of 27 focus groups conducted across Australia reveals how participants invoke civic nationalist language to express ethnonationalist concerns.

  • Participants highlight expectations for migrants to 'follow the law,' framing legal adherence as a prerequisite for cultural integration.

Historical Context

Evolution of National Identity in Australia

• Retreat from Multiculturalism

  • Historical exclusionary policies aimed at maintaining a 'white nation.'

  • Shift towards multiculturalism in the 1970s; however, recent backlash against multicultural policies reflects fears of division and cultural erosion.

  • Civic nationalism gained prominence, often employing a language of inclusivity while marginalizing specific groups.

Government Policies and Rhetoric

• Citizenship and Values

  • Introduction of a citizenship test and the 'Australian Values Statement' outlined key values expected of migrants.

  • Values include respect for individual dignity, rule of law, parliamentary democracy, and equality regardless of race or religion.

Discourse Analysis

Mechanisms of Exclusion through Civic Norms

• Construction of 'Others'

  • Normative non-Muslim identities positioned as the standard, with Muslims often portrayed as a threat to legal and social values.

  • Language related to law and rights often emerges as a veiled form of ethnic exclusion.

Case Studies from Focus Group Discussions

• Common Themes

  • Participants frequently leverage positions on law to articulate broader social and cultural homogeneity expectations.

  • Key statements reveal the assumption that non-compliance with laws suggests cultural incompatibility, particularly directed towards Muslim migrants.

Rhetorical Strategies employed by Participants

• Vagueness and Rhetorical Finishers

  • Use of vague language around who is 'pushing' their culture or values, avoiding explicit mention of Muslims, yet maintaining a distinct othering stance.

  • Participants articulate a need for migrants to 'assimilate' or adhere to Western norms, often equating cultural differences with legal transgressions.

Theoretical Implications

Conflation of Legal and Cultural Norms

• New Racism Framework

  • As cultural difference-talk evolves, explicit racist sentiments shift towards concerns about legal adherence and cultural integration.

  • This reflects an emerging form of racism that remains camouflaged under the guise of civic nationalism, complicating efforts for genuine inclusivity.

Conclusion

• Relevance for Future Studies

  • Understanding the interplay between civic and ethnonational discourses is vital for examining issues around migration and belonging in diverse societies.

  • The findings stress the importance of analyzing everyday discourse to uncover latent ethnonationalist attitudes masked by civic rhetoric.