Nations and Nationalism in Comparative Perspective

Nations and Nationalism in Comparative Perspective

• Nationalism is highly relevant in contemporary politics, more so than in past half-century
• The global rise of nationalism is particularly visible in the US, where President Trump's campaign focused on "America First" and "making America great again."
• Similar nationalist movements have gained power globally.
• Examples include Brazil, Hungary, India, and China, each exhibiting unique forms of nationalism.
• The historical narrative is central to national identity

Research Questions

• How and when are dominant national narratives formed?
• Does the invocation of national solidarity lead to denigration of other nations, minority suppression, and external aggression?
• Under what circumstances does the rise of nationalism create problems for democracy, economic development, migration policy, human rights, and global peace?

What Political Theory Says

• Political scientists generally agree that the nation is an imagined community.
• It's etymologically linked to "birth" and has an invented tradition.
• Individual membership is determined by practices, beliefs, or inherited attributes.
• Nationalism, is the celebration of the nation, encompassing a desire for political sovereignty over a defined territory.
• The political unit should align with the national unit.
• Nationalism is a collective sentiment that binds individuals through a shared sense of large-scale political solidarity.
• This sentiment is used to create/legitimize/challenge states.

The Global Reawakening of Nationalism

• Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro, borrowed Trump's nationalism campaign.
• Hungary's Viktor Orbán argues for national interests.
• Narendra Modi prominently champions Hindu nationalism in India.
• Xi Jinping, using Han-based nationalism, has become a powerful Chinese president.

Did History End in 1989?

• Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, democracy, capitalism, and globalization gained acceptance.
• The assumption that nationalism would be a historical relic was later proved wrong
• Nationalism fueled regional conflict after 1989, such as in the Balkans, Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Latin America

The COVID-19 Pandemic

• The pandemic paradoxically highlighted the national nature of decision-making and citizen loyalty.
• Even within the EU, many countries closed their borders.
• National flags became prominent in the leader's addresses.

What Political Theory Says II

• Some prominent voices have criticized nationalism for erasing moral values or equating it with racism.
• Authors like Macron, Monbiot, and Roy have voiced these critiques.

In the 20th Century

• Reactions against nationalism echo 20th-century criticisms, including that it's mankind's "measles," "greatest evil," "chauvinism," and a "false god"

Is Nationalism Always Bad?

• Nationalism encompasses multiple forms, not always negative.
• National attachments can motivate great sacrifice for the public good.
• Nationalism is also an inspiration for movements for freedom and justice, such as in the American and French Revolutions, movements to overthrow absolute monarchies, and responses to colonial regimes

Non-Ethnic Nationalism

• Today, most government leaders use historical narratives to promote their power and policies.
• Some historical narratives are values-based, like Indonesia's.
• National identities are sometimes not solely based on ethnicity but on shared values (e.g., Canada).
• The research is still limited, and the analysis often privileges Western/European/American experiences.

US vs. Them

• All nationalisms distinguish between duties to citizens and non-citizens.
• Many contemporary nationalisms portray specific groups as second-class citizens (racial, religious or ethnic).
• Trump, Modi and Xi's leadership styles exemplified these stances

Nationalism vs. Bad Nationalism

• Exclusionary nationalism is problematic due to its negative consequences like the prevention of genocide, democracy and the provision of public goods.
• Nationalism is not inherently bad but exclusionary types present problems

A Gap in the Literature

• Scholars haven't consistently studied the diverse ways nationalism emerges
• There's a lack of consistent studies on how nationalism impacts outcomes of interest like democracy, peace, or economic development.

Comparative Political Science

• Comparative political science studies unique and varied national narratives.
• Generalizations from case studies like Catalonia and Basque Country are possible.
• A gap exists in the historical understanding of how nationalism has impacted specific regions and people.

Next Classes

• Critically analyze historical debates about nationalism's origins and formation
• Identify key trends in contemporary nationalism scholarship (comparative historical, behavioral/survey-based, observational/ethnographic approaches)
• Examine the insights from other disciplines, and pinpoint knowledge gaps