Ernest-Gellner---Nations-and-Nationalism-Cornell-University-Press-Chapter-1
Definitions
Nationalism:
Primarily a political principle that asserts the congruence of political and national units.
As a sentiment, nationalism evokes feelings of anger when the principle is violated and satisfaction when fulfilled.
Nationalist movements are characterized by this sentiment, which may be violated in various ways:
Political boundaries don't include all nationals.
Inclusion of foreigners within boundaries of nationals.
Nations may exist across multiple states without a single political claim.
A significant violation sensitive to nationalists is when rulers belong to a different nation than the majority.
Violations occur through:
Incorporation into a larger empire.
Local domination by foreign groups.
Nationalism promotes political legitimacy, advocating for ethnic boundaries not to divide political ones.
Ethical Considerations of Nationalism
Nationalist sentiment can be ethical and universalistic, extending the principle to all nations:
Advocates for the autonomy of nations and discourages the inclusion of non-nationals.
While reasonable and supported by arguments like preservation of cultural diversity, nationalism often displays irrationalities:
May lead to a selective awareness of grievances regarding one's own nation versus others.
The spectrum of potential nations exceeds the number of viable political states, leading to irreconcilable nationalisms and conflicts.
Ethnic homogeneity in territorial units may require violence against non-nationals, complicating peaceful nationalism implementation.
Definition Usage and Challenges
Definitions should apply sensibly; the presence of few foreigners does not violate nationalist principles inherently.
Ambiguity exists in determining how many foreigners violate the principle.
State and Nation: Foundational Definitions
State: Max Weber defines it as the monopoly of legitimate violence within a territory:
Conflict is managed centrally, with violence allowed only by the state or its agencies.
Some states may lack this monopoly but still function as recognizable states.
The state must specialize in order maintenance to qualify.
Stateless societies do not engage with nationalism owing to the absence of political power.
Historical Perspectives on the State
Three stages of societal evolution:
Pre-agrarian: Stateless with no organized institutions.
Agrarian: States emerged variably, some strong and others weak; this stage represents the first possibility of state existence.
Industrial: All societies now function under states, highlighting their inescapable presence, though form varies.
Understanding Nationhood
Defining a nation poses more complex challenges than defining a state:
Nations feel intrinsic to identity, though they are a constructed concept.
Two definitions of a nation:
Men of the same nation share a common culture characterized by shared ideas, signs, behaviors, and communication.
Men of the same nation recognize each other as belonging to that nation.
Nationality involves collective recognition of rights and duties among members, transforming shared characteristics into national identity.
Cultural definitions are abstract and often difficult to specify, leading to exploration of culture's roles in shaping nationalism.