Applied English for International Politics
Professor Chamber's Lecture of September 26, 2002: Chapter 6 - Nationalism
Also: pp. 143 - 150
Name ________________________________________ Mailbox ___________
Understanding Nationalism
A.__________________________ = a cultural unit that is a group of people who identify with each other on the basis of common characteristics (for example, Japan)
1. in general, common demographic and cultural characteristics
a. a common language, race, and religion
b. common culture or history
c. a common land area the people identify with
2. feeling of community - it must feel like a nation
3. desire to be separate: self- governing or autonomous
B. _________________-________________ = country = state = a political actor that has s______________nty and other characteristics like land, people, government, and the recognition of other states; other states have to agree that you are a state = recognition by other states (for example, Palestine is not recognized by the UN and by other states as a state)
C. __________________________ = the belief that the nation is the final basis of political loyalty and that nations should have self-governing states = loyalty to a country or wanting to have a country
Evolution of nationalism - nationalism developed relatively recently
A. Early (1520s) - Henry _____________ of England formed a new Christian Church, the Church of English, and separated with Catholic Church. This identification with England help spread a feeling of nationalism. So did English literature and Shakespeare.
and Louis XIV had the first real national _______________________ in the 1600s
In the 1600s there were national armies and also use of mercenaries
B. Modern times
1. Nationalism is identified with popular ___________________________
2. American Revolution / French Revolution 1789: the French armies were fighting for France rather than for a ruler as in earlier times/ opposition to Napoleon was the beginning of German and Italian nation states
Guerrilla fighters fought in the mountains and forests against the French armies; they attacked small groups
Nationalism: Builder and Destroyer - is nationalism good or bad?
A. Beneficial = good = positive
1. promotes democracy
2. encourages self-determination
3. discourages imperialism (occupation by empires)
4. allows for economic development
5. allows diversity and experimentation (different cultures can keep their own customs and values)
B. Negative = bad = problems
1. xen___________________ = the suspicion, dislike, or fear of other nationalities
2. internal oppression of those who are different
3. external aggression - if a nation is best, it may think it should conquer lesser people
4. lack of concern for others
C. Lack of fit between nations and states
1. one state, multiple nations; examples ________________ , ________________, ________________
2. one nation, multiple states ________________ , ________________, ________________ - leads to irredentism (demand to bring all of one nationality into one state)
3. one nation, no state ________________ , ________________, ________________
4. multiple nations, multiple states (states and nations overlap) - ________________ , ________________, ________________ versus Nationalism and the Future - self-determination as a goal - over 5,000 ethnic minorities in the world - "Jihad" tendency
A. Self-determination would end many abuses that come from ethnic oppression
B. Problems-
1. untangling groups
2. concern for dissolution of existing states
3. micro-states -
a. lack of economic or political ability to stand as truly sovereign states
b. lack of sustainable economic base
Reading question: In your own words that YOU understand, take notes on the following (pp. 143 - 150 -- assigned by Professor Chambers)
Discussion questions:
1. Is Japan one nation? Is the United States one nation? Is Great Britain one nation? Explain..
2. With respect to Japan, give examples of the benefits and the negative aspects of nationalism?
3. On page 162 of our text, number 1 in the Chapter summary states that "nationalism is one of the most important factors in international politics". Do you agree or disagree. Support your answer with examples.