What Is Nationalism?

What is patriotism? The easiest way to define such a complex and large-minded term like patriotism is to start with the definition of a nation. A nation, as Ernest Renan clearly define in 1882, is is a conglomerate of great deal who sh ar a common past and have derived a strong bond, with an agreement to stay together and be governed by mutual consent in the future. In different words, a vast group of people living under the same type of governance that share a common language, culture, history and a similar background overall. These nations become unified by sport events like the Olympics or World Cups.patriotism is a possible definition of the happiness and pride lived during these games barely the term is so complex that further explanation is needed. The origins of Nationalism, its characteristics, the types of depicted objectism that concern and the huge complexity of the term could all join in to create a perfect definition of such term. The causes that arouse the ol factory sensations of nationalism can lead to a clear definition of this word. Short-term political causes like the American and cut Revolution led to the unification of its people to fight for what was theirs.The vernacularization of language and an easy access to books or newspapers were few of the effects that resulted from Martin Luthers 95 theses, the translation of the New Testament, or the invention of the printing press. Consequently, nationalism started emerging as a political ideology. In John Stuart pulverisations article Of Nationality, as connected with Representive Government expresses the causes of nationalism from his perspective. Mill begins his article by explaining how people, organism part of a nation, should be link by common sympathies, should cooperate with each early(a), and agree to live under the rules of the same government.In addition, he mentions the fact that geographical limits are also one and only(a) of the causes of nationalism. People liv ing in the same area go out consequently end up having a common language and/or religion. But the strongest of all Mill emphasizes on, is the identity of political antecedents the sharing of a common history together and experiencing emotions of pride and humiliation or joy and regret at any point given. From John Stuart Mill to Eric Hobsbawn, various authors help find out the unlike characteristics with the help of their give opinions and ideas on the subject of nationalism.Mills view on nationalism is altogether optimistic. He explains how countries, in order for them to be nations, should unite under the same needs and demands. This being, cooperation between their confess people and an aim to be under the same system of government. In contrast, side of meat journalist and novelist, George Orwell, had a different and negative theory on this topic. He views the nationalists as power-hungry and with the unique goal of forcing their customs on others. Orwell believes there are triple characteristics to a nationalist thought obsession, instability, and indifference to reality.Obsession thinking your own kingdom is superior to all the rest. The instability between the nationalist rulers or dictators. And finally, indifference to reality describes how nationalistic way blinds people from noticing facts of the real world. Additionally, in his article Nations and Nationalism since 1780 historian Eric Hobsbawn explains how nationalism always comes before a nation and it helps it form and develop from it. He also believes both political and national systems should be equal. These altered points of view help change our beliefs on nationalism and shape the definition of nationalism even more.The different types of nationalism are clearly explained in George Orwells Notes on Nationalism article. Positive, negative and transferred are the three types the writer focuses on while talking about Britains nationalism throughout the years. Subdivisions such as Neo-to ryism, Celtic, and Zionism are specified by Orwell under the positive nationalism category. He states that Neo- tories are anti- American (and sometimes anti- Russian) that do not recognize that Britains power and supremacy have declined. Orwell describes Celtic Nationalists as anti- English but have nothing to do with Anglophobic.These Irish, Welsh, and Scottish nationalists are known for their racist beliefs. These discriminatory beliefs are also a common denominator for the Jews that are part of Zionism. George Orwells next grouping known as Transferred Nationalism fall divisions such as Communism, Political Catholicism, Color feeling, Class feeling, and pacifism. The difference between transferred and the other two types of nationalism is the fact that it isnt as serious as the other two but people still believe in it and are somewhat influenced by it.Class feeling and color feeling are similar in the sense of superiority between races or class status. White people over black pe ople or upper classes over lower classes are some examples of this dogmatism. Pacifism is described as hatred of western democracy and admiration of totalitarianism against Britain and the United States. Lastly, George Orwell subdivides Negative Nationalism into Anglophobia, Anti- semitism, and Trotskyism. Against their own country, Anti- Jews (against Jews) and against Stalin are the main motives of these three examples.Nationalism is one of those words whose current definition is based on opinion and belief. The complexity of this term is due to time evolution. As different periods of time passed, nationalism went to from being negative to positive or vice versa. Showing pride for the United States by singing the national anthem at the beginning of a school day wasnt the same thing as yelling Heil Hitler to a soldier in Germany during the Holocaust. Propaganda was another main influencer of the people. The government put up posters and television receiver ads showing the bad side of their opponents in order to get their countrys support during war.Lastly, as George Orwell said, nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism. Nationalism is the will to imply or even personnel department a lifestyle or customs on others whilst patriotism is the showing of pride and joy of ones way of living and commitment to a certain place. There are many other opinions on this complicated word such as Perry Andersons wrong belief of thinking nationalism was the desire of people to form their own independent nation-state. There are no right or wrong definitions of nationalism because they are all expressed by people in their each and own unique ways.Their surroundings and their experiences both influence how the feelings of nationalism are defined. However, one does not deny that a definition for such feelings is obviously subjective Bibliography Easton, Mark. Cry God for Harry, England, and Saint George. BBC. N. p. , 14 June 2010. Web. 29 Aug. 2012. . Hobsbawm, Eric. Nations and Nationalism since 1780. ASM IB History 1. The American School of Madrid, n. d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012. . Mill, John Stuart. Of Nationality, as connected with Representative Government. ASM IB History 1. The American School of Madrid, n. d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012. . The Origins of Nationalism. CSU Bakersfield. California State University, n. d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012. . Orwell, George. Notes on Nationalism. ASM IB History 1. The American School of Madrid, n. d. Web. 29 Aug. 2012. . Renan, Ernst. Quest-ce quune nation? What is a nation? . ASM IB History 1. The American School of Madrid, n. d. Web. 29 Aug. 2012. . Savich, Carl K. Nationalism and War. MakNews. N. p. , 1 Sept. 2010. Web. 29 Aug. 2012. . Wolfson, Ben, ed. Nationalism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N. p. , 1 June 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2012. .