Introduction to Nationalism

INTRODUCTION

NATIONALISM

Nationalism is a political, social, and economic system characterized by promoting the interests of a particular nation or ethnic group, particularly with the aim of gaining and maintaining self-governance, or full sovereignty, over the group 's homeland. The political ideology therefore holds that a nation should govern itself, free from unwanted outside interference, and is linked to the concept of self-determination. Nationalism is further oriented towards developing and maintaining a national identity based on shared characteristics such as culture, language, race, religion, political goals or a belief in a common ancestry. Nationalism therefore seeks to preserve the nation 's culture. It often also involves a

It can be a belief that citizenship in a state should be limited to one ethnic, cultural, religious, or identity group, or that multinationality in a single state should necessarily comprise the right to express and exercise national identity even by minorities. The adoption of national identity in terms of historical development has commonly been the result of a response by influential groups unsatisfied with traditional identities due to inconsistency between their defined social order and the experience of that social order by its members, resulting in a situation of anomie that nationalists seek to resolve. This anomie results in a society or societies reinterpreting identity, retaining elements that are deemed acceptable and removing elements deemed unacceptable, to create a unified community. This development may be the result of internal structural issues or the result of resentment by an existing group or groups towards other communities, especially foreign powers that are or are deemed to be controlling them. Nationalism means devotion for the nation. It is a sentiment that binds the people together. National symbols and flags, national anthems, national languages, national myths and other symbols of national identity are highly important in

Geographical Unity: there can be no doubt that a naturally defined territory or geographical unity, often described by the name Homeland is a powerful tie in the formation and continuance of nationality. Several exceptions to this statement may, however be found. For ages the jews had no national home of their own. Yet the hope that some day Palestine would be restored to them kept alive and gave strength to the jewish nationality. The boundary between Germany and France is artificial and yet in both these countries there are very strong nationalities.

Where there is no national home or no hope of securing one it is difficult to acquire or develop the spirit of nationality. The gypsies have never had a settled adobe, accustomed as they are to wandering from place to place.

Naturally marked geographical boundaries are an immense aid to nationality owing to various reasons. In the first place geography and climate have a definite bearing upon the character and physique of a people. They tend to create common physical,mental and psychological traits thereby aiding co-operation and mutual understanding among people.

In the second place human sympathies are limited and at the present stage of man’s development a national home seems to be the most suitable unit for the drawing out of the altruistic feelings and emotions of man. There was a time when such feelings and emotions were confined to one’s village or tribe. But in all progressive countries these narrow loyalties have given