NATIONALISM: AN OVERVIEW

BY NISHKALA SHETTY
 MEANING
• Nationalism is an ideology and movement
that promotes the interests of a particular
nation especially with the aim of gaining
and maintaining the nation's sovereignty
(self-governance) over its homeland.

DEFINITIONS
• C.J.H. Hayes: “Nationalism is ‘a modem
emotional fusion and exaggeration of two
phenomena nationality and patriotism”.
• Arnold Toynbee: “ Nationalism is nothing
material or mechanical but a subjective,
psychological feeling in living people”
 ORIGIN OF NATIONALISM IN
INDIA
• After the revolt of 1857, people were determined to end British
rule.
• There was a growth of consciousness among Indians, that British
rule was exploitative and should be rooted out.
• After the 1870s multiple political associations were formed, such as
Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, Madras Mahajan Sabha, The Indian
Association and the Bombay Presidency Association.
• The goal of the such association was not the goal of any fixed class,
community or region. Their goal was the goal associated with all
the Indians.
• The main aim of such associations was to empower people to make
their own decisions.
• Britisher took steps to disengage those associations and tried to
end them(The Arms Act, Vernacular Press Act, Ilbert Bill )
• After seeing the harsh measures by the British government, Indian
seek to form an All-India association and later in 1885, 72
delegates met in Bombay and formed the Indian National Congress.
 ELEMENTS
1) Common territory
2) Common historical background
3) Common interests
4) Common race
5) Common Language
6) Common religion
7) Common culture
8) Common subjection and suffering
9) Common political aspirations
10) Common government
11) Common symbols
12) Actual feeling of nationalism
 TYPES OF NATIONALISM
1) Civic Nationalism
2) Cultural Nationalism
3) Economic Nationalism
4) Ethnic Nationalism
5) Expansionist Nationalism
6) Ideological Nationalism
7) Liberal Nationalism
8) Pan Nationalism
9) Religious Nationalism
 MERITS
Brings Endless Leads to
It Develops
Job economic
Infrastructure
Opportunities prosperity

Enhances the leads to

Sense Of Duty
feeling of political unity
To The Nation
Patriotism and stability
 DEMERITS

Encourages
Leads To A Rise in Socio- Exercise Of
Colonialism and
Isolation economic Clans Supreme Power
Imperialism

Can be used to
Enhances spirit Threat to
justify
of Intolerance Internationalism
aggression
PROMOTION OF NATIONALISM
• Distribution of equivalent goods and
commodities among all the different
communities.
• Equal rights for minorities.
• Freedom to practice all religions and not
provoke any sensitive issue regarding beliefs.
• Equal Job Opportunities for everyone.
• Effective policies regarding youth’s skill and
development
• Revision of trade treaties and others to reach
maximum sustainable development goals.
• Enforce the just and fair working of the Media
in the country.