1. Theories of Nationalism

2. Theories of Nationalism
Nationalism as a major force during the past 2 centuries.
Pre-capitalist political and social affiliation: tribes, feudalism, dynastic empires
Link between nationalism and modernity: capitalism, industrialization
Emergence of nationalist in Europe in 18th century and its spread

3. Nation is not a physical entity but a sentiment
Nation is a collection of people bound together by common values and traditions, often sharing the same language, history and affiliation to a geographical area
Members identify themselves define themselves against others

4. Benedict Anderson Nations are “imagined communities”
Nations are imagined by people who perceive themselves as part of that group
It is not based on every-day interaction among people who perceive themselves as members of that nation

5. What are the main factors that led to the rise of nationalism?
“Print Capitalism”
Capitalist entrepreneurs printed books in vernacular languages such as Latin
People speaking various local dialects became able to understand each other
European nation-states were formed around “national print-languages”

6. Role of Printing Printing played a major role in spreading ideas
By 1500 about 20 million books had been printed and circulated in Europe
Role of print in the success of religious reformation
Martin Luther publications formed 1/3 of all books in Germanic languages during the Reformation

7. Development of other vernaculars such as Anglo-Saxon and Norman French
Use of vernaculars for administrative purposes by the ruling elite
Decline of Latin as a language that unified the “Christian community”
Print industry helped the spread of these vernaculars

8. How did print languages contribute to the development of national consciousness?
They created an environment of exchange and communication
People communicated through paper
Fellow readers formed the seed of nationally imagined community
Print-capitalism solidified these languages
By the 17th century languages in Europe assumed their modern form
Convergence of capitalism and print paved the way for the rise of modern nation states in Europe in 18th and 19th centuries
Nation-state became the only model of political organization

9. Changing Dynamics of Nationalism
Liberal ideology championed nationalism until WW2
Nationalism can take various forms: Nazis and Fascists
Marxists viewed nationalism as a backward form of consciousness
Recent intellectual writings considered nationalism and nation-state as outdated
Some post-colonial writers considered nationalism as an elite project
Desire to transcend national boundaries and to create a broader form of belonging
Pan-Africanism, Pan Arabism, Pan Islamism

10.  To what extent is the concept of imagined communities relevant to the question of how modern nation-states frame their identities, domestic, and foreign polices
National politics of today