1. Chp. 1 Understandings of Nation and Nationalism
Social 20 Introduction
Chp. 1 Understandings of Nation and Nationalism

2. A few questions… What does the word nation mean to you?
What things must be shared by a group of people in order for the group to be regarded as a nation?

3. Questions Continued
What kinds of objects, acts, and symbols do a group of people create to show the world that they are a nation?
What do Canadians do to demonstrate to the world that Canada is a nation?

4. Characteristics of a nation
Ethnic background and ancestry
Cultural values and beliefs
History
Languages(s) and communication
Religious or spiritual beliefs
Geography
Politics and citizenship
Recognition by other nations

5. Looking past the basics…
Why would a group of people want to form their own nation?
What would be the benefits for a group of people in having their own nation?
What problems have resulted because of the division of the world into nations?

6. Define Nation
Considering the previous activities create your own definition of a “nation”

7. Compare your definition to the following dictionary definition
Nation: a people, usually the inhabitants of a specific territory, who share common customs, origins, history and frequently a common language. An aggregation of people organized under a single government, a country.

8. Which of the following examples are nations?
The Inuit
Quebec
Alberta
Canada
Japan
Russia
The European Union
Tibetan Buddhists
Catholics

9. Now you have examined what it means to be a nation, what does the following word mean?
Nationalism

10. Civic nation

11. Voices
“Civic nationalism – of the French, British, and American type – defines the nation not in terms of ethnicity but in terms of willingness to adhere to its civic values. Ethnic nationalism – of the German and Polish type – defines the nation in terms of ethnic origins and birth” (Michael Ignatieff)

12. Civic Nationalism and Ethnic Nationalism
People or peoples who share certain values and beliefs choose to live together in a nation-state.
The characteristics of the nation evolve over time, as common beliefs and values enable people to respect their differences
Ethnic Nationalism
Pre-existing characteristics or traditions lead to a shared sense of nation
The people may then create a nation-state if they choose to live together with others who share their sense of nation
refer to page 33

13. Civic Nation Citizens are equal – Civic means Have the same rights and
responsibilities
Civic means
“related to citizens”
Civic Nation
Based on shared
Values and beliefs
Differences in
Language, ethnicity,
Culture, and religion
Do not matter.

14. Civic Nation: Example
Irish ethnic nation + Scottish ethnic nation + English ethnic nation + Welsh ethnic nation + People from other ethnic nations British Civic Nation

15. Expressing Shared Beliefs and Values
Most civic nations have a constitution
Constitution – a legal document that lays out the basic rules that a society is built upon.
For example, in Canada, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms makes up the first 34 sections of the constitution.

16. An ideal?
Michael Ignatieff wrote that a civic nation is made up of people who share certain political beliefs.
He believes that when people share these beliefs, their race, color, creed, gender, and ethnicity do not matter.
They become “a community of equal, rights-bearing citizens, united in patriotic attachment to a shared set of political practices and values”

17. Is Canada a Nation?
“In the psychological sense, there is no Canadian nation as there is an American or French nation. There is a legal and geographical entity, but the nation does not exist. For there are no objects that all Canadians share as objects of national feeling” - Charles Hanley

18. Respond: Civic Nation Is Canada a civic nation?
Can any society be perfect?
Can the concept of a civic nation ever become a reality?
Select one of the above questions and write a one paragraph response to the question.