Nationalism In David Miller's On Nationality

Nationalism has too often been dismissed as an irrational creed due to its association with disastrous results over the decades. But undeniably, it is a dominating force in contemporary international politics. It is important to understand nationalism if we want to understand global political developments. Many books have been written on this subject, but David Miller’s On Nationality stands out. This book takes on a distinctive approach to the study of nationalism, rendering it one of a kind in this field. It does not seek to provide a “new” theory on nationalism per se. Instead, its theory is based on the objection to pre-existing schools of thought. Paradoxically, this unique feature of the book is also one of its two major flaws, alongside

Miller’s conception of “nationality” is inspired by John Stuart Mill’s writing in Chapter 16 of Considerations on Representative Government. In defending his principle of nationality, Miller takes into account three interconnected propositions – proposition concerning national identity, ethical proposition, and political proposition. Not withstanding the introduction and conclusion, the book is divided into five chapters. Miller dedicates one chapter each to the propositions concerning national identity (chapter 2) and ethical proposition (chapter 3), and two chapters (chapter 4 and chapter 5) to the political proposition. Specifically, chapter 2 discusses what it means to have a national identity and if this identity is rationally defensible; chapter 3 talks about the ethical significance in determining the duties we have as both individual and citizen; chapter 4 explores how the issues of sovereignty, self-determination and secession fit into the paradigm of nationalism; and chapter 5 confronts the conflict between nationality and cultural pluralism. After addressing the propositions, Miller dedicates one chapter (chapter 6) to explore the link between the seemingly erosion of national identity in western democracies. He argues that national identities are not eroding per se. Rather, it is the “growing uncertainty about the cultural values and political principles that distinguishes one nation from the next”.

More generally, On Nationality is a book where Miller defends the idea of civic nationalism. This school of thought stems from a liberal analysis of nationalism and national identity. At the same time, this book joins others in the rejection of a cosmopolitan interpretation of national identity and nationalism. Miller bases his rejection on the grounds that cosmopolitanism is self-defeating and requires equal access to cultural opportunities,