Related Issue 1 Social Studies 20-1 To what extent do understandings of nation and nationalism vary?”

What is a nation? The concept of a nation has many understandings. What is your understanding of the term nation? Citizenship is a key part of one understanding of nation, however there are many other understandings of the concept.

What is a nation? Nation: a group of people who feel connections to one another in some way. Feeling that unites people. A nation is found in the feelings and minds of people. It is an internal connection to other people. A nation is not necessarily a country. Ex: Puerto Rico, Hong Kong and parts of the United Kingdom. These nations do not have sovereignty.

What is a nation? Ethnic background. Cultural values and beliefs. History. Language and communication. Religion and spiritual beliefs. Geography Politics and citizenship. All of these are shared experiences which define a nation.

Understanding nation What connects the individual members of a nation to one another? Turn to page 12 of your textbook and read about Ernest Renan, Antonine Maillet, N.S Rajaram and Douglas Coupland and in your notebook answer the questions that follow each person’s quote.

Nation and Nation-State What is the difference between a nation and nation-state? Concept of Nation= in the minds and feelings of people. The internal connection to others with shared experiences. Nation-state is a territory with internationally recognized boundaries and a sovereign government. Define sovereign in your notebooks. Nation-states are countries and many different nations can exist within them.

Nation-state People who live in one feel a connection to one another. Most nation-states have common moral and legal beliefs. Can provide an individual with a sense of security. Challenges within a nation-state can arise in a nation- state with diverse nations within. Why? Examples?

What is nationalism? Belief in a nation. Shared sense of kinship or belonging. Shared consciousness of a collective identity. Can be inspired by language, religion, spirituality, geography, ethnicity, culture and citizenship. Read about Qasim’s experience on pg 22 of your textbook.

Nationalism (Language) Language (s) of a nation can effect how members of a nation communicate with each other. Ex. French Canadian/ English Canadian/Aboriginal/Métis- the divide between English and French Canada and the suppression of Aboriginal and Metis languages and the quest to revitalize their language and culture.

Nationalism (spirituality and religion) Spirituality and religion can create a sense of nationalism by the sharing of common beliefs and traditions among the members of a group.

Nationalism (ethnicity) Ancestry, family ties, history, language. Ethnicity is a shared experience and therefore can create a sense of nationalism as well as pride and loyalty. Many nation-states are composed of many different ethnicities due to global migration.

Nationalism (culture) Culture is the unwritten way of knowing, being and acting among the people of a nation based on their shared experiences. Individuals can identify with a variety of cultures (ethnic, linguistic, regional) Can inspire nationalism through shared food, clothing, arts, TV, film, traditions etc. Storytelling also influences nationalism by sharing cultural beliefs and values.

Nationalism (citizenship) Membership and participation of individuals in a political community. Creates a sense of nationalism through legal documents such as laws, charters, birth certificates, citizenship papers and passports. (membership) Citizens participate by paying taxes, obeying laws, serving in the army, voting. Nationalism created by citizenship should not be confused with patriotism. Patriotism is a love for a nation or nation-state and a sense of pride for a country’s achievements or culture.