Nationalism and Politics Custom Research by Essay Writers Essay

Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the world political climate has become more complex and in some cases outright hostile, many nations have turned inward, embracing nationalism as a method of self preservation at the very least and at best, or worst depending upon one’s point of view, pitting nations against one another in competition for global political status[1].   Because of these mixtures of nationalism and politics the question of why and how justifiably nationalism has been treated with suspicion by political thinkers becomes very relevant.   In this paper, the question will be discussed and explored with real world examples where appropriate. The Roots and Renaissance of Nationalism Nationalism, in one form or another, traces its European roots back at least 200 years; most sources agree that the â€Å"modern renaissance† of nationalism can be defined as the period when the Cold War reached its apex in the early 1970s[2].   It was also during this period that nationalism became truly political in nature, as the two superpowers of the world at that time, the United States and the United Soviet Socialist Republic, each developed an intense infrastructure of national pride and protectionism while at the same time trying to advocate their respective political systems in other nations in an effort to gain allies for their war of politics and ideology[3].   With the key players in the world political game embracing nationalism in its new form, the other nations of the world, large and small, soon followed suit.   Along with the nationalism boom came suspicion of nationalism on the part of many of the world’s most keen political minds and powerful p olitical players[4]. Justified Suspicion of Nationalism   Ã‚  Ã‚   The suspicion on the part of the world’s political leaders is justified; when one takes the time to look at world history over the last century or so, painful examples of nationalism run amok abound.   Many people do not realize it, but the roots of the Nazi party, the political machine of Adolf Hitler in the Germany of the 1930’s-1940’s, was based upon a very concentrated, and in hindsight toxic, form of German nationalism[5].   In this instance, Hitler, being a charismatic speaker and power monger, used the fervor of nationalism to build a regime which ultimately claimed millions of innocent lives and hurtled the world into war for years.    Behind the scenes, one can only imagine how many more lives were shattered as a result of Nazi fervor and actions. Also, referring back briefly to the introduction of this paper, the entire communist movement which came close to launching the world into war as well, had its beginnings in the elements of nationalism and the use by powerful and persuasive leaders to manipulate the masses into a system that would ultimately take away their freedom, their hope, and in some cases, their lives[6].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A present day example of possible nationalism and its potential to topple the political order exists in Great Britain, where sources indicate that there are forces within the government that advocate a concentrated form of nationalism, which ostensibly they maintain will give the common people more freedom, but in actuality, other sources claim, British nationalism would upset the established political order and lead to the downfall of the Crown itself[7]. What all of this represents is a potential power struggle that would likely ensue with the demolition of the traditional political order in a nation that has a proud history of resilience.   In fact, overall, the political leaders worldwide have in recent years voiced a concern that the new, more virulent form of nationalism that has emerged since the height of the Cold War is actually a social movement in disguise, used by those with a hunger for political power to burn down the established order and, in its place, put their own governments that of course have their own best interests at heart[8].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The point that is made with these real-life examples is that the suspicion with which political leaders often view nationalism is justified.   Any system that can devour an entire people against their will and best interests needs to be viewed with a certain degree of cynicism, and utilized only with the utmost caution. Nationalism and the World Economy   Ã‚  Ã‚   Because of the close relationship between global politics and economics, the effect of nationalism on world economies is important to understand, and likewise provides solid evidence that leaders in every corner of the planet should likewise monitor nationalism from the vista of economic consequences.   Taking into consideration the previously presented examples of political chaos caused by nationalism in its present most popular form, it is not a far stretch to predict what would happen economically to accompany political upheaval.   This is especially true when the use of â€Å"reform nationalism† is used.    Reform nationalism surfaces under the premise that it will actually lead to greater economic opportunities through an overhaul of a given nation’s economy, in such forms as a revision of the tax codes, monetary policy, and the like[9].   While it ultimately is true that most cases of reform nationalism do lead to new economic opportunities, they are usually reserved for those in power, or more precisely newly in power, while the masses find themselves worse off than before.   Unfortunately, this has happened time and time again in recent times due to the often volatile power systems in some nations; classic examples in recent times include Bosnia, Serbia, and much of Eastern Europe following the collapse of communism[10] . Key Considerations   Ã‚  Ã‚   In this paper, real examples of the validity of suspicion against nationalism by political leaders has been presented, but perhaps just as importantly, the common citizen must be vigilant to make sure that their interests and rights are preserved as well, as a check and balance against the powers that exist within politics; this is true in any nation.   As the old saying goes, those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   References    Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Revised Edition ed. London and New York: Verso, 1991. Anton Antonowicz Analyses the Lives of John Hume and David Trimble. (1998, October 17). The Mirror (London, England), p. 9. Beiner, Ronald, ed. Theorizing Nationalism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1999. Benner, Erica. (1995). Really Existing Nationalisms: A Post-Communist View from Marx and Engels. Oxford, Clarendon Press. Billig, Michael. Banal Nationalism. London: Sage Publications, 1995. Blair Warns of English Threat to New Britain; Let’s Stick Together: PM Blasts Right-Wing Agenda. (2000, March 28). Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), p. 6. Borntraeger, Ekkehard W. Borders, Ethnicity and National Self-Determination. Vienna: Baumueller, 1999. Boyce, D. George. Nationalism in Ireland. Third Edition ed. London and New York: Routledge, 1995. Brehony, K. J. and N. Rassool, ed. Nationalisms Old and New. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1999. Breuilly, John. Nationalism and the State. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985. Brubaker, Rogers. Nationalism Reframed: Nationhood and the National Question in the New Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. Bruce, Steve. The Edge of Union: The Ulster Loyalist Political Vision. Oxford, New York and Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1994. Burns, Jimmy. Barà §a: A People’s Passion. London: Bloomsbury, 1999. Carter, A. (1997). Nationalism and Global Citizenship. The Australian Journal of Politics and History, 43(1), 67+. Cottam, M. L., & Cottam, R. W. (2001). Nationalism & Politics: The Political Behavior of Nation States. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner. Ercegovac, P. (1998).   Competing National Ideologies, Cyclical Responses: The Mobilisation of the Irish, Basque and Croat National Movements to Rebellion Against the State.   Sydney, AU: University of Sydney. Glynn, P. (1994, August). Is Nationalism the Wave of the Future?. Commentary, 98, 42+. John McKie: Will Kilroy’s New Face of UK Politics Be Orange? (2005, February 5). Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), p. 13. The Making of the British. (2005, June 27). The Evening Standard (London, England), p. 67. Wheatcroft, G. (1999, June). The Making of the English Middle Class. The Atlantic Monthly, 283, 128. [1] Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Revised Edition ed. London and New York: Verso, 1991. [2]Carter, A. (1997). Nationalism and Global Citizenship. The Australian Journal of Politics and History, 43(1), 67+. [3]Brubaker, Rogers. Nationalism Reframed: Nationhood and the National Question in the New Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. [4]Beiner, Ronald, ed. Theorizing Nationalism. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1999. [5]Glynn, P. (1994, August). Is Nationalism the Wave of the Future?. Commentary, 98, 42+. [6]Cottam, M. L., & Cottam, R. W. (2001). Nationalism & Politics: The Political Behavior of Nation States. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner. [7]Blair Warns of English Threat to New Britain; Let’s Stick Together: PM Blasts Right-Wing Agenda. (2000, March 28). Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), p. 6. [8]Ercegovac, P. (1998).   Competing National Ideologies, Cyclical Responses: The Mobilisation of the Irish, Basque and Croat National Movements to Rebellion Against the State.   Sydney, AU: University of Sydney. [9]Breuilly, John. Nationalism and the State. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1985. [10]Ercegovac, P. (1998).   Competing National Ideologies, Cyclical Responses: The Mobilisation of the Irish, Basque and Croat National Movements to Rebellion Against the State.   Sydney, AU: University of Sydney.