Approaches to the study of Nationalism

Approaches to the study of Nationalism -

Gellner defines nationalism as primarily a political principle that holds that the political unit and the national unit should be congruent. Nationalist sentiment is a feeling of anger aroused by the violation of the principle, or the feeling of satisfaction aroused by its fulfillment.

Nationalism has been approached from a wide variety of perspectives -

1. Liberal Humanitarian Approach to Nationalism -

This approach laid stress on the humanitarian and cultural aspects of nationalism. 

According to Herder, mankind is divided by nature and by reason into separate nationalities and it is through cultivation of particular genius of the nationality that both the individual and humanity as a whole make progress towards perfection. Herder emphasized the cultural part of Nationalism. Nationalism for him is apolitical.

Fichte believed in economic nationalism. Unless a nation becomes economically self-sufficient, it could not survive as a political entity. International free trade, Fichte believed, led to imperialism and war rather than promoting unity among nations, it sowed the seeds of discord and rivalry.

Giuseppe Mazzini believed that the nation-state was the medium and agency through which history manifests itself in its progressive development towards greater human freedom. Only by forming nation-states can nationalities serve humanity. But over and above loyalty to the nation Mazzini placed loyalty to Humanity. 

2. Expansionist approach - 

The idea of unity proposed by humanitarians gave impetus to the forerunners and pioneers of wars which were more destructive and extensive than before.

National unification and democracy intensified international antagonisms and made the broad mass of people active participants in them. The unified nations now had the cohesion and emotional impetus necessary for policies of conquest.

For some writers, unification was essential to human progress, for strong nations to struggle for aggrandizement, and for the superior races to prevail. Thus, imperialism became inescapable.

3. Marxist Approach - 

Marx declared that societies were divided not on nationalities but on a class basis. For him, nationalism is a fiction created by the bourgeois class and is being used by it just as it used religion, ethics, democracy, freedom, science, art, or literature. 

The national liberation movement will help in weakening the political, economic, military, and ideological power of the ruling class and will inculcate a revolutionary ideology in the working class of the oppressed nation.

4. Integral (Fascist) Approach - 

Maurass defined integral nationalism as ' the exclusive pursuit of national policies, the absolute maintenance of national integrity and the steady increase in national power. This form of nationalism stresses that the individual lives for the state, serves the state, and glorifies the state.

According to Maurice Barres, Blood and Soil are the twin foundations of nationalism and the determining elements of life, both individual and social.

The aggressive expansionist foreign policy is accounted for by fascist regimes. In Fascist regimes, even the existence of other races was seen as a threat to one's life.

For integral nationalists, it is not a matter of fixing boundaries but rather an attempt to eradicate all those who are different, whatever their ideas or attitudes.

5. Anti-Colonial Approach -

The spread of nationalist ideas from Europe to Asia, Africa, and Latin America, set in motion the National liberation movements. Colonial countries developed their own theory to own historical experiences. Hatred for imperialism, hatred for its nationals, and hatred for its representatives were the basis of new nationalism.

Nationalism was also a creative force, aimed at building a nation based upon the principles of liberty, independence, economic justice, and national unity. It viewed national unity as a creative force that could stimulate the people to contribute their share in the national reconstruction. This unity meant -

      1. Unity of geographical parts and
      2. Unity in the diversity of religion, classes, caste, and communal elements
Given the heterogenous character of third world societies, conflicts are unavoidable which stems from two sources:
      1. The difference arising among the ethnic groups included in the most arbitrarily created states inherited from the colonial rulers and
      2. The wide gap between a small affluent elite and a large number of people living in conditions of poverty.

 Reference: IGNOU

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