Unit 2 Notes PSC 211

Chapter 3: Nations and Societies

Ethnic Identity

• Definition: Ethnicity refers to specific attributes and societal institutions that distinguish one group of people from another culturally.

• Ascription: The process of assigning particular qualities at birth, which one does not choose.

• Each ethnic group comprises unique institutions that embody norms and standards of behavior.

• Ethnic Diversity: Most countries today are not ethnically homogenous; they can consist of multiple ethnicities.

• Ethnicity as a Social Identity: It is primarily social as opposed to political but can influence various political attitudes.

• Religious Divisions: Religion can act as an ethnic division.

• For identity recognition, it exists when people are acknowledged by themselves or others as distinct group members.

• Complexity of Race: Race, as a concept, varies; for example,

  • In South Africa, race indicates social standing.

  • In Brazil, approximately 80% of people have African ancestry, yet it claims to be a racial democracy, lacking race-based movements.

• Identities are influenced by the specific political, cultural, and economic contexts of societies.

National Identity

• Nation: A group wanting governance through an independent state.

• National Identity: A sense of belonging to a specific nation with belief in its political aspirations; can stem from ethnic identity but is not mandatory.

• Nationalism: Pride in one’s people, belief in a unique political destiny; varies in intensity.

  • Examples: Quebec French in Canada as their ethnic group, the USA, Australia, and Ukraine as nations without a single ethnic group.

• Nationalism can help unify civilizations and foster strong community bonds.

Citizenship and Patriotism

• Citizenship: Relationship between individuals and the state, involving allegiance, rights, and obligations such as military service and taxes, which vary distinctly across nations.

• Patriotism: National pride, can exist independently of national identity.

Historical Context and Persistence

• Terminology evolved from ancient practices in Athens and the Roman Empire, re-emerging in 15th and 16th-century Europe with capitals influencing the homogenization of languages and cultures.

• Ethnic Identity Growth: Closely related to modern state development; by the 1800s, national identity gained prominence.

• Example: Napoleonic France used nationalism strategically.

• Nation-State: A state that mainly embodies and represents one predominant nation.

• Types of Conflicts:

  • Ethnic Conflict: Struggle for political/economic goals among different ethnic groups.

  • National Conflict: Aspiration for political independence leading to clashes.

• Factors influencing conflict probabilities include ethnic homogeneity levels and resource struggles.

Political Attitudes and Ideologies

• Political Attitudes: Concerned with the pace and methods of political change.

  • Radicals: Favor drastic change, potentially through violence.

  • Liberals: Prefer gradual change using existing institutions.

  • Conservatives: Wary of change; uphold the current system.

  • Reactionaries: Aim to restore previous political structures, possibly using violence.

• Political Ideology: Core beliefs regarding politics concerning freedom and equality:

  • Liberalism: Endorses individual political/economic freedom, limited state involvement.

  • Communism: Advocates for shared wealth/property to eradicate oppression and necessity for political structures.

  • Social Democracy: Supports balancing economic freedom/equality with strong social safety nets.

  • Fascism: Prioritizes state power over individual freedoms; often associated with extreme nationalist movements.

  • Anarchism: Seeks the total elimination of the state to achieve equality and freedom.

Religion, Fundamentalism, and Identity

• Political identities can be significantly shaped by religious beliefs.

• Fundamentalism: Advocates for religious laws and beliefs to be legally enforced, often as a response to perceived ideological failures.

• Political Culture: Norms governing political activity, shaping dominant ideologies within a country, distinctive to particular groups.

Chapter 3: Nations and Societies

Ethnic Identity

• Definition: Ethnicity refers to specific attributes and societal institutions that distinguish one group of people from another culturally.

• Ascription: The process of assigning particular qualities at birth, which one does not choose.

• Each ethnic group comprises unique institutions that embody norms and standards of behavior.

• Ethnic Diversity: Most countries today are not ethnically homogenous; they can consist of multiple ethnicities.

• Ethnicity as a Social Identity: It is primarily social as opposed to political but can influence various political attitudes.

• Religious Divisions: Religion can act as an ethnic division.

• For identity recognition, it exists when people are acknowledged by themselves or others as distinct group members.

• Complexity of Race: Race, as a concept, varies; for example,

  • In South Africa, race indicates social standing.

  • In Brazil, approximately 80% of people have African ancestry, yet it claims to be a racial democracy, lacking race-based movements.

• Identities are influenced by the specific political, cultural, and economic contexts of societies.

National Identity

• Nation: A group wanting governance through an independent state.

• National Identity: A sense of belonging to a specific nation with belief in its political aspirations; can stem from ethnic identity but is not mandatory.

• Nationalism: Pride in one’s people, belief in a unique political destiny; varies in intensity.

  • Examples: Quebec French in Canada as their ethnic group, the USA, Australia, and Ukraine as nations without a single ethnic group.

• Nationalism can help unify civilizations and foster strong community bonds.

Citizenship and Patriotism

• Citizenship: Relationship between individuals and the state, involving allegiance, rights, and obligations such as military service and taxes, which vary distinctly across nations.

• Patriotism: National pride, can exist independently of national identity.

Historical Context and Persistence

• Terminology evolved from ancient practices in Athens and the Roman Empire, re-emerging in 15th and 16th-century Europe with capitals influencing the homogenization of languages and cultures.

• Ethnic Identity Growth: Closely related to modern state development; by the 1800s, national identity gained prominence.

  • Example: Napoleonic France used nationalism strategically.

• Nation-State: A state that mainly embodies and represents one predominant nation.

Types of Conflicts:

• Ethnic Conflict: Struggle for political/economic goals among different ethnic groups.

• National Conflict: Aspiration for political independence leading to clashes.

• Factors influencing conflict probabilities include ethnic homogeneity levels and resource struggles.

Political Attitudes and Ideologies

• Political Attitudes: Concerned with the pace and methods of political change.

  • Radicals: Favor drastic change, potentially through violence.

  • Liberals: Prefer gradual change using existing institutions.

  • Conservatives: Wary of change; uphold the current system.

  • Reactionaries: Aim to restore previous political structures, possibly using violence.

• Political Ideology: Core beliefs regarding politics concerning freedom and equality:

  • Liberalism: Endorses individual political/economic freedom, limited state involvement.

  • Communism: Advocates for shared wealth/property to eradicate oppression and necessity for political structures.

  • Social Democracy: Supports balancing economic freedom/equality with strong social safety nets.

  • Fascism: Prioritizes state power over individual freedoms; often associated with extreme nationalist movements.

  • Anarchism: Seeks the total elimination of the state to achieve equality and freedom.

Religion, Fundamentalism, and Identity

• Political identities can be significantly shaped by religious beliefs.

• Fundamentalism: Advocates for religious laws and beliefs to be legally enforced, often as a response to perceived ideological failures.

• Political Culture: Norms governing political activity, shaping dominant ideologies within a country, distinctive to particular groups.

Chapter 4: [Title TBD]

• [Introduction/Key Themes for Chapter 4 TBD]

• [Main Points of Chapter 4 TBD]

• [Conclusion or Summary Points for Chapter 4 TBD]

Note: Further details on Chapter 4 are yet to be provided, including specific themes and key points.