Nation, Nationalism, and Conflict Dr. Jared O. Bell, Assistant Professor of International Relations & Public Administration Faculty of Business and Administration International University of Sarajevo

In your own words how do you define a nation? What is a nation?

A people, or aggregation of men, existing in the form of an organized jural society, usually inhabiting a distinct portion of the earth, speaking the same language, using the same customs, possessing historic continuity, and distinguished from other like groups by their racial origin and characteristics, and generally, but not necessarily, living under the same government and sovereignty A Nation is…..

What’s the difference between a nation and an ethnic group? What do you think is the difference between a nation and an ethnic group? What’s the difference between a nation and an ethnic group?

Nation Versus Ethnic Group A nation is distinct from a "people", and is more abstract, and overtly political than an ethnic group. It is a cultural-political community that has become conscious of its autonomy, unity, and particular interests Nation Versus Ethnic Group

Ernest Renan’s Interpretation of the Nation Two things to constitute principle of a nation: past and present Past – the possession in common of a rich legacy of remembrance (common sufferings) Present – the consent, the desire to live together to continue to value the heritage which all hold in common. Ernest Renan’s Interpretation of the Nation

The nation is imagined:it is an imagined political community, and imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign. Imagined Communities

Imagined Communities (Cont.) The community whose size is beyond face-toface contact are all imagined. The nation is imagines as limited because a nation holds limited number of people. The nation is imagined as sovereign because the concept was born in the age in which realm of absolutism was destroying by revolution. The nation is imagined as community because the nation is always conceived as a deep, horizontal comradeship. It is this fraternity that makes it possible for so many millions of people willingly die for their nation. Imagined Communities (Cont.)

In your own words. How do you define nationalism? What is Nationalism?

Nationalism Nationalism connects individuals to the state They become sentimentally attached to the homeland They gain a sense of identity and selfesteem through their national identification They are motivated to help their fellow nationals and countries Nationalism is a “process What are some examples of Nationalism? Nationalism

What might be some elements of Nationalism? What are some different symbols and narratives about nationalism? What might be some elements of Nationalism?

Nationalism and Identity Politics All forms of nationalism address the issue of identity. Nationalism informs people of who they are, forging social bonds and a collective spirit. It may take a variety of forms- for example cultural nationalism based on the romantic belief in the nation as a unique historical and organic whole drawing on popular rituals, traditions and legends. Another form of identity politics which sometimes overlaps with cultural nationalism is ethnic nationalism.. Nationalism and Identity Politics

The form of nationalism which emerged from the French Revolution was based on the assertion that the French people possessed with inalienable rights rather than being merely the subjects of the crown. It was based on a vision of a people or nation governing itself- the nation was not merely a natural or organic community but a natural political community. Self -Determination

Self –Determination (Cont.) The goal of nationalism is the formation of the Nation State For nationalists, the great strength of the nation-state is that it offers the prospect of cultural cohesion and political unity. Nationalism legitimizes the authority of government because it represents the idea of popular self government as it is carried out by and for the people. Nationalists may not always aspire to independence- some may have more limited objectives such as greater autonomy within a nations state. Self –Determination (Cont.)

Nationalism and Conflict Nationalism can be a great source of conflict when it becomes exclusionary. Nationalism can cause conflict when nationalist groups have differing goals from the main stream. When nationalists groups may have conflicting ideologies and narratives. When nationalist groups have their goals, ideas, and beliefs restrained. What elements of conflict theory can we apply here? Nationalism and Conflict