Chapter 7 Nationalism

Q1. How is the nation different from other forms of collective belonging?

Answer: A nation is to a great extent an emerging community, held together by collective beliefs,
aspirations an imaginations of its members. It is not a mere collection of people. It is different from
another groups found in human society.

A nation is different from family where all members have direct relationship and personal
knowledge about each other. A member of the nation does not need personal contact.

A nation is also different from tribes and clans and other kinship from which we can trace the links
that binds them to us. But as a member of the nation we may never come face to face with most of
our fellow nationals nor need we share ties or descent with them.

Q2 . What do you understand by the right to national self-determination?

Answer: In simple words, the right to national self-determination means the right of nations to
govern themselves and determine their future development. In making this claim, a nation seeks
recognition and acceptance by the international community.

Q3. We have seen that “nationalism can unite people as well as divide them, liberate them as well
as generate bitterness and conflict”. Illustrate your answer with examples.

Answer: During the last two centuries or more, nationalism has become political creeds which
helped to shape history. It has inspired intense loyalties as well as deep hatreds. It can unite people
as well as divide them, liberate them as well as generate bitterness and conflict.

In the 19th century Europe, the spirit of nationalism led to the unification of a number of small
kingdoms into larger nation-states. the present day Germany and Italy are the result of unification
and consolidation.

Nationalism is akso responsible for the breakup of large empires such as the Austro- Hungarian and
Russian empires in the early 20th century. It also led to the breakup of the British, French, Dutch and
Portuguese empires in Asia and Africa.

Extreme nationalism can lead to militant nationalism that leads to separation and bloodshed.

Q4. Neither descent, nor language, nor religion or ethnicity can claim to be a common factor in
nationalisms all over the world. Comment

Answer: it is commonly believed that nations are constituted by a group who share certain features
such as the descent, language, religion or ethnicity. But there is in fact no common set of
characteristics which is present in all nations. Many nations do not have a common language. For
example, there are English speaking as well as French speaking peoples in Canada. Nor common
religions do not form a nation. In today’s world, it is difficult to find any single country that has a
common religion.

Q5. How is a democracy more effective than authoritarian governments in dealing with conflicting
nationalistic aspirations?

Answer: Democracy is more effective than authoritian government in dealing with conflicting
nationalistic aspirations. Democracy is based on toleration whereas in authoritarian governments
any attempt to promote regional aspiration is termed as enemy of the nation. In democratic
governments, citizens are given freedom and it allows the existence of multi-party system through
which the people could express their regional identity.