Lecture 5:

 Nation, Nationalism and Internationalism

Nation page84 

• The word “Nation" is derived from Latin word "Natio" which means the idea
of birth or race, class of person". • Nation is a large group of people who are
psychologically united with one another through some homogeneity of their
culture. • In other words, a nation means a culturally homogeneous group of
people who share a common language, institutions, religion, and historical
experience etc. • A country may consist of more than one nation. • William
Burgess opines, "A nation is a population of ethnic unity, inhabiting a territory
of geographical unity" • When a nation of people has a state or country of
their own, it is called a nation-State'.

Defining the nation and nationality 

• Probably the most famous definition is by Benedict Anderson: "a nation is an

imagined political community - and imagined as both inherently limited and
sovereign" 

What is nationality? Page83

 • Nationality means the identity of an individual which he/she attach to a

nation or nation-state. • Nationality is the aspect of identity that derives
from one's membership in a nation. • Nationality has become a universal
component of identity; everyone belongs to a nation

Elements of a nation & nationality page89

• Geographical unity · Common race, · Common language, · Common

religion, · Common history, • Common political aspirations, · Common
interests, and Common culture.

Nationalism 

• Nationalism is the spiritual or mental feelings which is developed in the

people having the same race, language,
traditions, religion, politics and  geographic unity. » In other words,
nationalism is the spirit of a nationality. It is a kind of political consciousness
of belonging to a group, which is in fact a category. • A nation finds its
manifestation in nationalism. • Nationalism is not an entity; it cannot be seen,
but felt. It finds its manifestation in national activities » Seligman
defines-“Nationalism in its broader meaning refers to the attitude which
ascribes to national individuality a high place in the hierarchy of values" 

Example of Nationalism

 • During the Language movement in 52, or during the Liberation War, the
people who were in the part of Bangladesh- were to the top of the spirit of
Nationalism. » To get rid of the colonialism, the Independence Movement of
the subcontinent from the clutch of British- is another good example of
Nationalism .

Types of nationalism

Kellas speaks of three general approaches that define nationalism: 

• Ethnic nationalism: - The ideology of ethnic groups who perceive sameness

through common history, language, race, territory, or other elements of
culture and who have the nation-state as one of their main goals. 

• Civic or social nationalism: - Civic or social nationalism has social ties and
culture at its center. - Outsiders such as immigrants and diasporas can also
join this kind of nationalism by adopting and following the ways of culture and
society. 

• State or official nationalism: - Official nationalism covers the nationalism

of state; - It includes all those who are legally entitled to be
citizens, irrespective of their ethnic group, national identity, and culture. - It is
promoted by the state to cultivate and maintain the dominance of a specific
nation .

Factors of Nationalism
Geographical unity, Common race, Common language, • Common
religion, Common history, Common political aspirations, Common interests,
and • Common culture.

Relation between nation, nationality and nationalism 

Dissimilarities: • Nation is a politically organized and is a independent

state, bụt nationality and nationalism possess the cultural unity which
originate in men for having some commonalities. • Nation is a political entity,
but nationalism is not an entity; it cannot be seen, but felt. Rather, it is a
cultural/psychological spirit and nationality is national identity of people. •
Nation finds its manifestation in nationalism. On other hand, nationalism finds
its manifestation in national activities. • For a nation, state is required, but for
nationality and nationalism, state is not required. For example, Palestine. •
Nation is an entity but nationalism and nationalism are spiritual or mental
feelings 

Similarities: • Both nation, nationality and nationalism have the

same elements: common geography, race etc.

Internationalism  page 221

» Internationalism is a political movement which advocates a greater

economic and political cooperation among good of all. • This doctrine
believes that nations should cooperate because their common interests
are more important than their differences. » It always keeps pace with the
contemporary trend of the world nations for common • In other words,
internationalism means the principle of cooperation among the nations,
for the promotion of sometimes as contrasted with the nationalism
or their common good, devotion to the interests of a particular nation..

Types of internationalism 

• Hegemonic internationalism

 An approach that the world is being integrated based on unequal terms with
the dominance of one nation or nation-state over others For example, China
controlling Tibet - Cold war where both USA and USSR were in confrontation 
• Liberal internationalism 

An approach based on belief that through greater interactions

and cooperation, nations and nation- states can achieve common goal For
example, United Nations (present day), EU (present day) 

• Revolutionary internationalism 

An approach based on belief that conflict within societies are determined by

international factors and alliances For example, role of UN in Kashmir issue,
Palestine (Present day)

Nationalism and internationalism 

The question is whether nationalism and internationalism can go together ? 

Of course, nationalism and internationalism can go together. 

• Nationalism helps to promote internationalism. Gandhi viewed that only

nationalism can lead to internationalism • Economic, military and political
interests of nations have brought them together in regional organizations. It
appears that nationalism stands in the way of internationalism • There is
nothing inconsistent if a person who loves his own country also loves the
neighboring states. One can aim at the greatness of his/her country and at
the same time feel happy if other nation prosper. • The love of one's country
must not demand the destruction of others. 

Narrow nationalism threaten to internationalism

 An Individual with narrow nationalism started his/her nation is of primary

importance When narrow nationalism was preached in resulted in a
war. Narrow nationalism is bound to resulting international conflicts and in
such an atmosphere, there can be no peace and progress of
the world. believing that any country that For example, Adolf Hitler in
Germany • Conflicts are predictable between Nationalism &
Internationalism. The people with nationalist fervour can never comply with
the ideology of the people with internaționalist zeal. Disagreements can be of
political, social, religious, ethical, economical, psychological, cultural & so
on. The core spirit of Nationalism lies in sovereignty & native culture.
A nationalist fellow all the time thinks of the betterment of his compatriots &
motherland. It is a matter of continuous practice and by gradual sharpening, a
person becomes a nationalist. A person armoured with nationalism is
habituated to do (of think) good for the motherland of any kind as and when
required. Internationalism teaches that the people of all nations have more in
common than they do differences, and thus that nations should treat each
other as equals. Internationalism promote international  cooperation and
coordination in political, economic an cultural spheres » It is an ideology which
anticipates international organization of sovereign states to
foster international cooperation for the solution of political, social and
economic issues confronting the international society » Internationalism
envisage peaceful world order 

Law page202