Nationalism Michael Lacewing

Nation v. state State: political structure that is sovereign, defining the legal rights and obligations of citizens, and claiming a monopoly on the use of force Nation: a group of people united in some way –States can contain more than one nation (UK?); one nation can exist in more than one state (Kurds)

National identity Nations involves ‘national identity’, normally understood in ethnic and/or cultural terms. Members are born into and raised with a particular language, tradition, and culture. This creates a ‘national character’ and sense of unity. National identity also connects to a geographical place and historical continuity.

Nationalism Nationalism claims (Miller): –that a national identity is a defensible source of personal identity, –that nations are ethical communities imposing reciprocal obligations on members which are not owed to outsiders, and –that nations have a good claim to be politically self-determining

Liberty Nationalism can conflict with individual liberty (esp. of minority non-nationals) –Promotion of national culture can undermine diversity –Traditional national identity can conflict with individual autonomy and creativity Liberal state should –Be neutral between cultures and promote diversity –Promote autonomy and diversity

Positive liberty National self-determination is a form of self-expression, and so (collective) positive liberty Individual positive liberty involves being able to make meaningful choices –This requires a background of values and meanings – culture and morality – Liberty requires self-restraint – grounded in communal identification

Objections But are nations this kind of community? Must the state adopt nationalism? Not all nationalisms support liberty Only a liberal national identity solves the tension between nationalism and liberty

Immigration The right to leave a state: democracy is based on consent. The right to enter a state? –There are many restrictions on freedom of movement, e.g. private property, environmental values, national security Self-determination: any group may decide who can join Protection of cohesion and values No defence in multi-cultural states

International justice Can nation-states choose different principles of justice (self- determination)? Does justice require nationals and non- nationals to be treated the same way? –Even if special duties are owed to fellow nationals, there will still be some duties owed to non-nationals.

Nationalism on justice Global justice will undermine national self-determination. Massive transfers of resources outside the nation may undermine national solidarity, which provide the motivation for redistribution. But it is still not shown that we should not meet non-national needs over national interests.

Miller on global justice Different nations understand different things by justice –Goods – money, work, status, opportunity –Principles – competition & desert, collaboration and need Basic human rights necessary: conditions needed to live minimally adequate human life –But relative inequality between states is not an issue