Pioneers of Internationalism: Esperanto and Nationalism

Pioneers of internationalism. Esperanto and nationalism Javier Alcalde Index 1. The international context 2. Pioneers of internationalism 3. Esperanto and pacifism 4. During the war: humanitarian tasks and the Esperanto press 5. Counterfactual History 6. Esperanto and the interwar...

Pioneers of internationalism. Esperanto and nationalism Javier Alcalde Index 1. The international context 2. Pioneers of internationalism 3. Esperanto and pacifism 4. During the war: humanitarian tasks and the Esperanto press 5. Counterfactual History 6. Esperanto and the interwar period 7. Esperanto today The international context Esperanto was born at a special time At the end of the 19th century… Revolutions in transport and communications Belief in progress and rationality Weights and measures International meridian (Greenwich) linked to a universal day A rational language considered as a scientific tool, necessary in a world without an international lingua franca  1887 Latin is no longer a lingua franca English in commerce German in science French in diplomacy Russian in a vast geography Japanese extends its influence A neutral language? L. L. Zamenhof (1859-1917) Esperanto 1887  L. L. Zamenhof (1859-1917) Esperant A neutral and easy-to- learn languag 1905 – 1st International Congres 1909 Barcelon Fina venko s o e a Pioneers of internationalism In some sectors, the first international associations created were part of the context of the Esperanto movement  Esperanto and pacifism Although it is a transversal social movement, it has maintained a particularly close relationship with pacifism since its creation “If this had happened, the World Congress in Paris would have been the largest concentration of pacifists in history” Esperanto among the pacifists There are many supporters of international language among the leaders of the most important pacifist tendencies of the time. Scientific pacifism Feminist pacifism Religious pacifism Conscientious objection Proletarian internationalism There is a close relationship between the international language and the Nobel Peace Prize winners (and leading candidates) 1901-1914  Intellectuals Alfred Fried Henri La Fontaine Felix Moscheles Gaston Moch William T. Stead Charles Albert Gobat Fredrik Bajer L.L. Zamenhof....  During the war Among other things, they carried out humanitarian tasks and reported on the developments of the conflict through their periodical publications  A bit of counterfactual history With Esperanto in full expansion, how would it have continued in the absence of the World War? How did the war influence the evolution of Esperanto? Zamenhof died in 1917, but the social movement created around the language would survive, retaining the pacifist essence of its creator Esperanto and the interwar period Esperanto experienced a golden age, both "from above" (League of Nations) and "from below" (workers' movement), before suffering persecution during the WWI  Anationalism Lanti's theory of anationalism (often referred to as "A-naciismo" in Esperanto) is deeply connected to the notion of Esperanto as a neutral, international language that transcends national boundaries Anationalisme «The anationalists fight against everything that has a national character: national languages and cultures, national traditions and customs. Esperanto is their main language and they consider national languages as secondary. They refuse to participate in any national struggle and recognize as necessary and profitable for the mass of the exploited only the class struggle which has as its aim the abolition of classes, nationalities and all exploitation of man.» Manifeste des Anationalistes, 1931 Rejection of Nationalism Lanti’s idea of anationalism opposes traditional nationalism, which often emphasizes loyalty to one’s nation-state and identity tied to a specific culture, language, and geography Lanti believed that nationalism could lead to division, conflict, and even war He argued that national identities often create a sense of "us" versus "them," fostering an environment of exclusion and hostility Esperanto as a Tool for Anationalism: Lanti saw Esperanto not merely as a constructed international language but as a symbol and tool for anationalism He envisioned Esperanto as a neutral, common language that could be used by people from all over the world, without favoring any particular nation By using Esperanto, Lanti believed people could connect across linguistic and cultural divides, promoting cooperation and understanding rather than competition or conflict Cultural Pluralism While rejecting nationalism, Lanti didn’t seek to erase national identities or cultures. Instead, he advocated for a kind of cultural pluralism, where people could maintain their unique cultural heritage while engaging in a shared, neutral linguistic space. The goal of anationalism, in Lanti's vision, was to promote global solidarity without requiring individuals to give up their cultural ties or pride. Practical Implementation of Anationalism Lanti’s concept of anationalism wasn't just theoretical He envisioned a future society where Esperanto was the primary language for global communication, used in diplomacy, trade, science, and culture His idea was that through Esperanto, there could be a more harmonious, egalitarian world, free from the tensions that come with national pride and ethnic rivalry Ethical and Moral Implications For Lanti, anationalism also had an ethical dimension He saw it as a way to reduce the moral and social harm caused by nationalistic ideologies, which often led to exclusionary practices, imperialism, and violence He believed that by embracing anationalism, humanity could focus on universal values such as peace, human rights, and mutual respect Conclusion Eugène Lanti’s theory of anationalism through the lens of Esperanto is a call for a world beyond the confines of national borders and identities, where people communicate with one another on an equal footing It advocates for the use of a neutral language to unite humanity and combat the divisiveness often fostered by nationalism