Elements of nationalism . Best Factors that play a special role in inspiring a sense of nationalism in a society ।
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Elements of nationalism .
The elements which play a special role in motivating a society towards nationalism, are called the elements of nationality.
The elements which play a special role in motivating a society towards nationalism are called elements of nationality.
State philosophers mention the elements of nationality
The ingredients are-
- If most of the people of a society consider themselves to be of the same descent, then a strong sense of national unity is created among them, which motivates them to a sense of nationhood.
But at present this matter cannot have much effect. Because it is not possible to get any genealogically today.
Although the people of Austria claim to be of the same ancestry, this has not been proven ethnographically.
- Language, literature and cultural unity: One of the elements of nationalism is language, literature and culture.
When the majority of people in a society share the same language, literature and culture, an innate sense of nationality emerges among them.
As an example, we can talk about the language movement of 1952. This movement was led by having unity towards same language, literature and culture.
The language movement later inspired the freedom struggle of 1971. German philosopher Fickte believed that literary and cultural unity is one of the elements of nation formation.
The same literature and culture create a kind of spiritual relationship between people, which can create a sense of nationality.
However, it is also true that language, literature and cultural unity are not very strong elements of nationalism. As an example we can talk about India.
Although there are people of multiple national languages and multiple cultures, this element has not had any negative impact on their nationalism.
Another example we can mention — United Kingdom, United States, Australia, South Africa etc. are different nations even though English is the language.
Therefore, language, literature and cultural unity are important elements of nationality but not necessary elements.
- Religious unity: In ancient and medieval times, religion was considered as one of the main elements of nation building.
According to Gilchrist, “Ethnic unity is bound to be transitory because of strong differences in religion.”
In 1947, India-Pakistan was divided on the basis of religious nationality. But nowadays the importance of religion is decreasing. Religious unity could not save East and West Pakistan unity.
Although China, India formed a nation of many religions, the followers of one religion could not form a nation in many cases.
- Geographical unity: It is one of the elements of nationalism. People who live in a particular territory can easily become motivated by nationalism.
Although there are other elements of nationhood, the Jews could not form a nation until the establishment of the State of Israel because they did not have a geographically defined territory.
Again, living within the same territory, despite having similarities in other elements, many countries form separate nations.
- Unity of history and tradition: When there is a natural sense of unity among people living in a region for a long time, this unity can create a sense of nationhood among them.
Every nation’s past memories and traditions inspire them. This motivation plays a role in the formation of nationhood.
According to Barnes, “the inheritance of common memories and ideas is more important to the formation of nationhood than hereditary unity.”
- Psychological Unity: This psychological unity plays a very strong role in the formation of nationality. Professor Gettel said, “The basis of the unity of the modern state is not external, but psychological.”
Renan referred to nationality as an ’emotional’ matter. Prof. Spenglar (Prof. Spenglar) said, “The element of nationality is not hereditary or linguistic unity, but it is ideological unity.”
Renan, the French professor, said, “Nationality is actually an ideological concept.”
Most statist think that common ancestry, religion, language, literature and culture, history-tradition, geographical area and political and economic common interests only help to form nationhood.
But none of these alone are essential to the formation of nationhood. Because even if any one or some of them are left out, nationality can be formed.
In fact the most important and fundamental element in the formation of nationality is psychological or ideological unity.
- Political unity: People who are bound by the same political ties for a long time develop a sense of unity among them.
In this case other elements of nationality may not create any problem. For example, the states of Great Britain have been able to unite in the same sense of nationality for the sake of political unity.
- Unity of behavior and customs: This is an important element of nationhood. When a group of people develop similar practices, customs and traditions, they tend to think of themselves as a distinct nation.
This is why East Pakistan was able to form separate Bangladesh from West Pakistan.
- Economic Unity: If a people is united by the bonds of common economic interests, it sometimes gives rise to a sense of nationhood.
50 separate states came together based on economic unity to form the United States and form a powerful nation.
But it is not a necessary element in the formation of nationality. Conflicting parties also reside in the same nation state.
- Common interest: Common interest plays a helpful role in nation building. Because common interests or similar interests can build a sense of unity among people.
In the context of the discussion, not all elements are always equally important in the formation of nationality.
Each element plays an effective role based on space, time and environmental conditions.
