Nationalism

Nation is like a large community who is connected with common aspirations, belief, development and goals for the growth and prosperity of the nation as a whole. It has certain social, geographical and political similarity. It is not a family or kinship relation as it is not based on common descent. It is also different from religious groups and lingual groups as one nation can have many religion and languages existing. It is different from other communities and groups found in our society. Being a citizen of a nation, we may not come across with everyone or we share ties with them still somewhere we have the national value instinct lived and valued by everyone.

Right to National Self-Determination implies that people should be free to choose their own state and its territorial boundaries. Every nation should have a right to decide their own destiny and govern themselves for their future development and shaping their own nation towards prosperity. Every state must have a say in their own affairs. In other words, they seek right to self-determination, as a nation seeks recognition and acceptance by international community.

The idea of national self-determination has led to the formation of nation states. This right keeps the democracy of a nation active and in action. This idea keeps the national unity among different states and races intact and emphasis more on it otherwise had they not been given this right of self-determination they would have not come together. Right to self-determination guaranteed minorities right. It gives them the right to determine their culture and civilization along with the majority communities without the fear of getting absorbed or consumed in the majority. This also leads to national security as both minority and majority have a right to determine their own affairs which make them feel satisfied.

This idea has also challenged the nation state’s formation by challenging the principle of territorial integrity and the nations’ sovereignty of states as its always the will and efforts of people that makes a state legitimate. It this right be applied in multi-national states then it will do more harm than good. Each nation will try to find its own way this will make a great setback for the working of the administration. Since each nationality ij the state will try to develop and promote it culture and the way of life, it shall became difficult to determine public opinion which is most essential for democracy.

During the last 200 years nationalism has emerged as one of the most compelling of political creeds which has helped to shape our history through the course of time. The study of term ‘Nationalism’ has inspired intense loyalties as well as hatred and criticism. It unites people into bond on the basis of shared belief, common territory, shared political idea and aspirations. Nationalism has been a factor in the breakup of empires and states. Nationalist struggles have contributed in the drawing and redrawing the state boundaries of the states and empires. The idea of nationalism liberates people from the bond of various smaller groups to a one wide nation where they all share common interest and goal. It can sometime divide the lingual and culture group which can demand for a separate nation state like we have seen in the case of Telangana which resulted in disintegration of Arunachal Pradesh, this is a great threat to the nationalism as it generates bitterness and conflict as demands for separate nation state demanded by the smaller groups and communities arises. Such situations are the roots of many going conflicts in today’s time.

At present large part of the world is divided into different nation states the problem of boundaries are existing and no end to the separatist struggles within existing states. Nationalism has passed through several passes. For example- in the 19^th century, Europe has faced much unification of small kingdoms into larger states. The present day Germany and Italy were formed. Large numbers of newly decolonized states were also found in Latin and South America.

Nationalism has also contributed in the breaking of large dictatorial empire Nazi rule in Germany, The Empire of Austria and Hungary. With worlds wars, cold war and process of decolonization we have seen that nationalism can unite people as well as divide them, liberate them as well as generate bitterness and conflict

Neither descent, nor language, nor religion or ethnicity can claim to be a common factor in nationalism all around the world. We can say this as there is no such common factor or a characteristic that is present in even every nation all around the world they may differ due to various factors concerning the nation its history or current state. It is difficult for every lingual, religious or ethnic group of a nation-state to become politically, economically and culturally viable. These lead to several problems for the minorities and those groups which are not recognized. Therefore, no nation-state can stand only on the factors of religion or ethnicity.

Nationalism is a feeling of patriotism, principles or morals and ethics and efforts towards growth and development of the nation. There is other factor which leads to the feeling of Nationalism:

•Shared Beliefs – A nation is made by its people and it exists only when people believe that they belong together as a team. This refers to having collective identity and vision for the future of an individual or group which aspires to have an independent political existence despite their ethnic and religious differences.

For example, every Indian citizen wishes to see the national hockey team of India to become the world champions.

•Common History – Indians share a common history of its ancient civilization, its legends, historical significance and memories, historical records. People of India had shared several freedom movements this sense of common history binds us as one entity.

For example, Indians share a common history of Nationalist movement against the British Empire and have same vision for India’s future.

•Common Territory – Common territory gives the people sense of common identity. It makes them belonged to one community. They can freely and proudly call themselves of nation speak of homeland or holy land.

For example, Indians identify themselves with the unique geographical features of the Indian subcontinent.

•Shared Political ideals – Citizens share a vision of a kind of state they want to build. India shares its political ideals like democracy, liberty, equality, secularism and socialism. These accepted ideas keep the people and different communities united. We are also bound by obligations and duties toward our country to keep it united by following the political ideals legitimized by the law of the state.

For example, Indian constitution is a representative of collective will of the people who have adopted democracy and secularism as their ideal among other goals.

•Common Political Identity – India does not share one religious or linguistic identity. It has diverse sects and religions. That’s why India does not have a state religion. It celebrates and respects every religion equally and has on political identity.

For example, Indian citizens share a common political identity irrespective of their religion and linguistic group. Like a Muslim from Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu from Karnataka etc.

Democracy is more effective than authoritarian governments in dealing with conflicting nationalist aspirations as democracy is most adequate form of government. Authoritarian government s is now criticised on several grounds. Democratic government is more effective than the authoritarian as it respects the opinion of people and provides every cultural group with rights and opportunities to flourish. Democracy provides a structure for all groups to express their aspirations. An authoritarian government will create an oppressive and authoritative society in which minority will face challenges and difficulties. Majority dominance gives rise to nationalist aspirations among other groups.

A democratic government respects and provides rights and cultural identity of minorities which takes a huge effort to solve conflicts of nationalist aspirations by taking decisions that benefits the entire group and maintains its harmonic co-existence. In democracy people acknowledge their obligation towards their members which is unlikely to experience in a self centred authoritarian government.

Mutual respect and cooperation is strongest key to a unified nation that can be seen in democracy.

Following can be the limitations of nationalism: 1. the definition of the term ‘Nationalism’ is debated and discussed. It becomes difficult for us to settle on precise and widely accepted definitions which open this term for various interpretations.

2. Territory plays an important role creating the nation and develops the feeling of nationalism among its inhabitants. World is divided into different nation-states with an ongoing process of reshaping of boundaries and separatist struggles within existing states are common.

3. It is not possible for each cultural group to build its own nation-state therefore one nation-state integrate more than one cultural group.

4. Different cultural groups often get engaged in conflicts due to their separate nationalist aspirations and principle which is based on a desire for homogenous identity.

5. The role of Nationalism in this era of globalised world is yet to be completely explored and evaluated as national tendencies have different meaning in a world of interconnectedness.