Chapter – 7

Nationalism

In this post we have given the detailed notes of Class 11 Political Science Book 1 Chapter 7 (Nationalism) in English. These notes are useful for the students who are going to appear in Class 11 board exams.

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Chapter 7: Nationalism

Introducing Nationalism

• What is Nationalism?

  • It is a political creed that has played a significant role in shaping history for the last two centuries.  
  • It has inspired both loyalty and hatred, and has both united and divided people.  
  • It has been a factor in the formation and dissolution of empires and states.  
  • It is a powerful force in the world today, but it is difficult to define precisely.  

• Phases of Nationalism:

  • 19th Century Europe: Led to the unification of small kingdoms into larger nation-states, such as Germany and Italy.  
  • Latin America: Many new states were founded.  
  • 20th Century: Contributed to the breakup of empires, such as the Austro-Hungarian, Russian, British, French, Dutch, and Portuguese empires.  

• Nationalist Movements:

  • India’s struggle for freedom from colonial rule was a nationalist struggle.  
  • Separatist movements within existing states, such as the Quebecois in Canada, the Basques in Spain, the Kurds in Turkey and Iraq, and the Tamils in Sri Lanka.  

• Questions about Nationalism:

  • What is a nation?  
  • Why do people form nations?  
  • What are the goals of nations?  
  • Why are people willing to sacrifice for their nation?  
  • How are claims to nationhood linked to claims to statehood?  
  • Do nations have a right to statehood or national self-determination?  
  • Can the claims of nationalism be met without conceding separate statehood?  

Nations and Nationalism

• What is a Nation?

  • It is not a casual collection of people, but it is also distinct from other groups or communities in society.  
  • It is not based on shared physical characteristics or behavior, but rather on a collective identity and vision for the future of a group that desires an independent political existence.  
  • It exists when its members believe they belong together and share a sense of continuing historical identity.  
  • It often identifies with a particular territory, which they may refer to as their homeland, motherland, fatherland, or holy land.  
  • Members share a vision of the kind of state they want to build and affirm a set of values and principles, such as democracy, secularism, and liberalism.  
  • In a democracy, the most desirable basis for a political community or nation-state is a shared commitment to a set of political values and ideals.  

National Self-Determination

• What is National Self-Determination?

  • It is the right of a nation to govern itself and determine its future development.  
  • It involves seeking recognition and acceptance by the international community of a nation’s status as a distinct political entity or state.  
  • It has been asserted by national liberation movements in Asia and Africa during their struggles against colonial domination.  

• Challenges to National Self-Determination:

  • It is often difficult to define the boundaries of a nation, especially in multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies.  
  • Granting independence to every group that claims to be a nation can lead to the creation of many small and non-viable states.  
  • It can also lead to conflict and violence, as different groups compete for territory and resources.  

Nationalism and Pluralism

• What is Pluralism?

  • It is the recognition and acceptance of diversity within a society.  
  • It involves granting group rights to minority communities to protect their cultural identity.  

• Nationalism and Pluralism in India:

  • The Indian Constitution has provisions for the protection of religious, linguistic, and cultural minorities.  
  • Group rights granted in India include constitutional protection for the language, cultures, and religion of minority groups.  

• Challenges to Pluralism:

  • Some groups may continue to demand separate statehood, even after being granted group rights.  
  • Intolerant and homogenizing forms of identity and nationalism can threaten pluralism.  

Key Points to Remember:

• A nation is an imagined community held together by shared beliefs, aspirations, and imaginations of its members.  
• National self-determination is the right of a nation to govern itself and determine its future development.  
• Pluralism is the recognition and acceptance of diversity within a society.  
• In a democracy, it is essential to balance the recognition and accommodation of different identities with the need to build a strong and united state.

Examples:

• The unification of Germany and Italy in the 19th century.  
• India’s struggle for freedom from colonial rule.  
• Separatist movements within existing states, such as the Quebecois in Canada, the Basques in Spain, the Kurds in Turkey and Iraq, and the Tamils in Sri Lanka.  
• The Indian Constitution’s provisions for the protection of religious, linguistic, and cultural minorities.

Conclusion

• Nationalism is a complex and multifaceted concept that has played a significant role in shaping history.
• It is important to understand the different aspects of nationalism, including its potential to unite and divide people.
• In a democracy, it is essential to balance the recognition and accommodation of different identities with the need to build a strong and united state.  

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