Week 5: Nationalism 1
Key Language and Concepts
Social Engineering: Refers to efforts intended to influence or change societal structures or norms, often through policy or strategic initiatives.
Elites, National Elites: Groups of individuals in a society who possess significant power, influence, or wealth, often guiding or shaping national identity and policy.
Tribalism: A strong loyalty to one's own group or tribe, which can lead to conflict with others.
Ethno-symbolism: A theoretical approach that emphasises the importance of cultural symbols, myths, and traditions in the formation and continuity of national identity.
Primordialism: The belief that nations are ancient and natural phenomena, rooted in shared history, culture, or ethnicity.
Modernism: A viewpoint that sees nations and national identities as constructs that emerged with modernisation and industrialisation.
Patriotism: A sense of pride and devotion to one's country, often distinguishing between national loyalty and other forms of cultural or group loyalty.
Material Resources: Physical assets such as land, money, or technology that enable a group or nation to function and maintain its identity.
Considerations While Reading
Hobsbawm’s View on Nation: Hobsbawm argues that the nation is not an “unchanging social entity” but a construct linked to particular historical contexts.
Construction of Nations: He posits that nations are “constructed essentially from above”, i.e., they are formed through political decisions and influences rather than purely organic evolution.
Smith’s Nation-Forming Issues: Smith raises concerns about the implications of nation-forming actions and highlights the complexities involved.
Gat’s Culture and Kinship: Gat discusses the significant role culture plays in defining kinship and loyalty within groups.
Text Conviction: Reflect on which texts resonate most convincingly with your understanding of nationalism and identity.
Text 1: Adapted from Hobsbawm
Eric Hobsbawm (1917-2012): A noted British historian and Marxist scholar affiliated with Birkbeck College, London.
Definition of Nationalism: Hobsbawm aligns with Gellner's definition, asserting that nationalism reflects a connection between political boundaries and national identity. It prioritises the nation above all citizen obligations, particularly in conflict scenarios.
Nation as a Construct: He argues that the concept of a nation is neither primary nor static, viewing it as a modern creation associated with state structures: the 'nation-state'. Hobsbawm asserts it is ineffective to theorise about nationality without context related to a state.
Invention and Social Engineering: Nations are products of social engineering and invention. Gellner argues against the myth that nations are naturally occurring classifications of people; instead, he asserts that nationalism helps create nations, sometimes by modifying or destroying existing cultures.
Dual Nature of Nations: Hobsbawm emphasises that nations are dual phenomena, constructed from above but also to be analysed from below, taking into account the needs and aspirations of everyday people, which may not align with nationalist sentiments.
Critique of Gellner: He critiques Gellner's focus on modernisation from above, which overlooks grassroots perspectives. He states that perceptions of national identity are fluid and subject to change over time.
Historian's Stance: Serious historians cannot align themselves with committed political nationalist ideologies, as nationalism demands uncritical belief in its often flawed narratives. Hobsbawm cites Renan, noting that “getting its history wrong is part of being a nation,” which critiques the selective storytelling involved in national identity formation.
Text 2: Adapted from Smith
Anthony Smith (1939-2016): A prominent British historical sociologist who served as Professor Emeritus of Nationalism and Ethnicity at the London School of Economics.
The Crisis of Nationalism: Following the World Wars, the concepts of nationalism and racism faced condemnation, leading to a blurred view of them linked to 'tribalism'. Post-war, nationalism is frequently viewed through the lens of modernism, emphasising its recent origins tied to modernisation processes.
Core Assertions of Modernists: Modernists argue:
Nationalism is a recent phenomenon and ideology.
Nations themselves are likewise recent constructs.
Both are results of modernisation associated with societal shifts towards 'modernity'.
Denial of Pre-Modern Roots: The modernist perspective dismisses any roots of nations before the 18th century, with some asserting that true national identity and mass nationalism did not appear until the late 19th or early 20th century, coinciding with the rise of the welfare state.
Ethno-Symbolic Critique: This approach, while lacking a scientific theory, suggests exploring alternative views for analysing nations. Ethno-symbolists converge with modernists in acknowledging nations as sociological realities, imbued with imagination and social constructs, yet grounded in historical contexts.
Historical and Geocultural Contexts: Nations, as historical communities, must be understood within specific historical and cultural frameworks. This perspective allows for causal analysis of their origins and evolution.
Disagreement with Modernists: Ethno-symbolists assert that modernists overlook the significant historical ties and implications of ethnicity for national identities, a contention that underscores its role in shaping nations and nationalist movements.
Text 3: Adapted from Gat
Azar Gat: A noted Israeli historian with a specialisation in military history and international relations.
Understanding Kinship: Gat asserts that kinship transcends genetic links, burrowing deep into cultural realms where both biological and social cues help identify kin. Sharing upbringing, cultural practices, and traditions aligns individuals more closely with their kin.
Cultural Connection: Cultural sharing serves not only as a marker of kin-relatedness but also enhances cooperative social behaviours, primarily through shared languages, customs, and values.
Kinship and Collective Identity: Individuals exhibit a proclivity to support those culturally akin to them, indicating a foundational layer for tribalism, ethnocentrism, xenophobia, patriotism, and nationalism.
Impact of Agriculture and State Societies: The evolution from small ethnic communities to vast societies post-agriculture necessitated the expansion of kin-culture identification, engendering feelings of fraternity within larger community constructs. Ties to a nation evoke profound loyalty, overshadowing genetic ties.
Cultural Sacrifice and Identification: Individuals may readily sacrifice personal well-being for the larger kin, culture, or national group that represents shared values and identity.
Glossary
Aspiration: A strong desire or goal.
Assumptions: Beliefs taken to be true without verification.
Collective: Actions performed by a group.
Committed Political Nationalist: A strong proponent of a nationalistic agenda.
Construct: A theoretical framework inclusive of various components.
Cooperation: Collaborative efforts toward a common goal.
Customs: Long-standing traditions or practices within a culture.
Entity: An independent, identifiable existence.
Ethnicity: Association with a group sharing culture and national heritage.
Ethno-symbolism: A theory focusing on symbolism for national identity formation.
Ethnocentrism: The belief in the superiority of one's own cultural norms.
Fraternity: A collective, brotherly association between individuals.
Ideology: A framework of ideas that shapes political and economic policies.
Kin: Related individuals by blood or family.
Mass Phenomena: Large-scale social movements or events.
Material Resources: Tangible assets aiding functionality.
Modernism: The view that national identities are constructs of the modern era.
Motherland/Fatherland: Poetic terms referring to one's homeland.
Myth: A prevalent yet erroneous belief or narrative.
Obligations: Duties or responsibilities held by individuals.
Orthodoxy: Accepted conventions or beliefs.
Primordialism: The view that nations stem from ancient shared heritages.
Sacrifice: The act of giving up something significant for a greater cause.
Social Engineering: Efforts to shape societal structures through policy.
Sovereignty: Authority to self-govern.
Symbolic Resources: Cultural assets that facilitate group identity.
Territorial: Relating to the ownership of land.
Transformation: Significant change in form or structure.
Tribalism: Deep loyalty that may provoke inter-group conflict.
Xenophobia: Dislike or prejudice against foreign individuals or cultures.