An assignment on-

Analyzing or Explaining Relation Between Nationalism and

Internationalism With Special Reference to Russia & Ukraine War
Course Code: 102
Course Name: Political Theory and Organization

Submitted To
Mohammad Badrul Hasan

Assistant Professor

Department of Political Science

University of Dhaka

Submitted By
Md. Alomgir Hossain

Roll No: 219; Section: B

Session: 2020-2021
 Submission Date: 18 April,2022
Introduction:
Nationalism and internationalism two are very modern concept of political
science. Nationalism is a spiritual feeling denotes the idea, feelings and action
related to indigenous, patriotic essence; while internationalism is a political
movement holds up closeness with globalization.

Nationalism
Nationalism is an ideology which holds that the state and the nation should
be unified. The core spirit of nationalism lies in sovereignty and native culture.
It is a movement or manifestation of the sentiment of nationality. This national
sentiment is intimate. The idea of nationalism is a broad sense. It cannot be
defined, however in a single definition. Nationalism is an ideology which
holds that the state and the nation should be unified.

Gellner E. defined nationalism is ‘‘a political principle which holds that the
political and the national unit should be congruent’’ [1]
Nationalism generally involves the identification of an ethnic identity with a
state. The subjects can include the belief that one’s nation is of primary
importance. It is also described a movement to establish or protect a homeland.
In order to grasp what nationalism is, one must understand the concept of “the
nation”. Benedict Anderson defines the nation as ‘an imagined political community
– that is culturally imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign’.[2]
A nationalist fellow all the time thinks of the betterment of his compatriots and
motherland. It is a matter of continuous practice and gradual sharpening, a
person becomes a nationalist. A person armoured with nationalism is
habituated to do good for the motherland of any kind ass and when required.

History of the Concept

Historically, the concept of nationalism has been divided between “civic” and
“ethnic” nationalism. The former is linked to the ideas of the French political
philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau in the context of the French revolution.
Civic nationalism is grounded in inclusionary values of freedom, tolerance and
equality. Ethnic nationalism emerged in Germany and that influences nation-
building processes in both Eastern Europe and Scandinavia focused on
belonging defined by ethnic identity, language, religion and similar traits.
Historically, ethnic nationalism has been mobilized to justify ethnic cleansing,
genocide and holocaust of Jews, Roma and LGBT people, as in the cases of
Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy.

Nationalism & patriotism:

The word patriotism is a noun that means “devoted love, support, and defense
of one’s country; national loyalty.”
The term often brings to mind people directly involved with the defense of a
nation, namely military service members as well as state and local government
representatives. For example: The soldiers showed exemplary patriotism
defending their country from attack.

Narrow Nationalism
Nationalism may take the form of narrow nationalism. Narrow or aggressive forms
of nationalism can be highly divisive. Such nationalism calls for advancing the interests
of one group above all else—even at the expense of others. Extreme nationalism is
illiberal and intolerant and doesn’t accept those outside the narrowly defined nation as
equal. This “us versus them” mentality, often rooted in ideas of racial and national
superiority, can lead to dangerous and violent ends.

Narrow nationalism is threaten to internationalism:

An Individual with narrow nationalism started his/her nation is of primary
importance When narrow nationalism was preached in resulted in a war.
Narrow nationalism is bound to resulting international conflicts and in such an
atmosphere, there can be no peace and progress of the world. believing that any
country that For example, Adolf Hitler in Germany

Internationalism
Internationalism is a political principle that advocates greater political or
economic cooperation among states and nations. It is associated with other
political movements and ideologies, but can also reflect a doctrine, belief
system, or movement in itself.[3]
Internationalism deals with the issue beyond the native sense. The doctrine
believes that nation should cooperate because their common interests are more
important than their differences. Internationalism is a political movement which
advocates as a greater economic and political cooperation among nations for the
theoretical benefit or common goods of all— is one of the recognized definition
of internationalism.
The formation of the United Nations paved the way for the emergence of
modern internationalism. In his book on political science, N.D. Arora
notes:
Internationalism is… described as the theory and practice of transnational
or global cooperation. As a political ideal, it is based on the belief that
nationalism should be transcended because the ties that bind people of
different nations are stronger than those that separate them.

Internationalism always keeps pace with the contemporary trend of the world.
The internationalist people think that, Internationalism broadens the vision,
uplift the career, secure life and bread, enhances the scope of betterment,
Practices a comparison between indigenous and exotic matters. They are liberal
enough to grab and appreciate the proceeding of the world.

Relation between Nationalism and Internationalism

Internationalism and nationalism both have different meanings. Internationalism
is a political concept which supports a more huge economic or political
cooperation among nations and peoples, and whose ideological roots can be
found in socialism. Nationalism is an apportioned group feeling in the
significance of a geographical region looking for an independence for its culture
or ethnicity that keeps that group together.
Nationalism arises from the feelings of nationality and internationalism grow
after the nationalism. Nationality lead the people in nationalism and nationalism
helps to promote internationalism. There is no opposition between wise
nationalism and wise internationalism. They are complementary. We are
citizens of a great nation, but we are also citizens of a great world, and we have
duty to perform Not only to our nation but to the world
It is impossible for one to be internationalist without being a nationalist.
Internationalism is possible only when nationalism becomes a fact, i.e., when
peoples belonging to different countries have organized themselves and are able
to act as one man. It is not nationalism that is evil, it is the narrowness,
selfishness, exclusiveness which is the bane of modern nations which is evil.
Each wants to profit at the expense of, and rise on, the ruin of the other.

Nationalism and Internationalism In the Light of Russia vs Ukraine War:

The crisis between Russia and Ukraine rises tension for whole of the world.
They two are the neighboring country. Ukraine wanted to join NATO ( North
Atlantic Treaty Organization). One of the leading members of this organization
is the united States, who is the great rival of Russia. It is threat for Russia, to
allow their rival to expand its group near his border.
The other big reason is if a member of NATO attacked by other country, then it
will be consider as attack against whole of the membering country of NATO
and they must come together to protect its membering country. So it will be
danger for Russian nationalism to let Ukraine join in NATO. That’s why in the
question of protecting Russian sovereignty and nationalism they attacked on
Ukraine land and occupied many of Ukraine lands, which resulted narrow
nationalism of Russia. Thinking on the other side, this made a threat for Ukraine
sovereignty and nationalism. It is also threat for Ukraine internationalism to
make barrier joining in joining NATO. The topic is controversial.
On side of Ukrainian, when Russia attacked on their motherland, their
nationalism grown and with patriotic zeal they started fighting against Russian
military to protect their homeland.

Conclusion
In sum, therefore, the relationship between nationalism and
internationalism is dependent on two factors: (a) the countries involved
and (b) the situations surrounding them. As to Russia-Ukrain war, the two
are authentic in the sense of their nationalism but to think in politically,
Russia showed its narrow nationalism by attacking on Ukraine land.
So, nationalism and Internationalism are not a entity. They have no
material shape but can be felt in mind.
References:
1.Gellner, E. (1983). Nations and nationalism. New York, USA: Cornell
University Press, 1.
2. Anderson (1983), 5-6
3.Warren F. Kuehl, Concepts of Internationalism in History, July 1986