Nationalism
Such nationalism, which may extract concessions in the form of political
decentralization of various kinds, including federalism, has become
increasingly widespread in recent decades. It has been argued that it, rather
than ideology built on class, was ‘the dominant political passion’ of the sec-
ond half of the twentieth century (Payne, 1975, p. 249), though it may now
have given way to religion.
Nationalism presupposes some cultural distinctiveness on the part of the
inhabitants of a particular region. Nationalism in the context of colonialism
is a relatively straightforward concept, but nationalism among minorities
indicates cultural identity and uniqueness, often strengthened by linguistic
distinctiveness, that unites a particular population and which may inspire a
nationalist movement. Crucial to this sense of identity and the demand for
autonomy to which it can lead is a belief that the group once enjoyed self-
government. But what constitutes a ‘nation’, which may seek the status of a
nation-state, is a question that has occupied the minds of political theorists
for many decades. One view is that ethnic groups simply become nations
when they develop ideas about obtaining political self-determination
(Phadnis and Ganguly, 2001).
A sense of nationhood will be based on some combination of religion,
language, customs, institutions, mythology, folklore, culture, history and
race, though it should not be assumed that each type of identity will have the
same effect on political behaviour (Connor, 1978, p. 396; 1988, pp. 201–2;
Clay, 1989, pp. 224–6; Kellas, 1991, pp. 2–3). None, however, is sufficient
in itself to define a nation, not even language (Smith, A. D., 1971,
pp. 181–6). Economic and political features may also be considered neces-
sary conditions of nationhood, in addition to cultural factors and group sen-
timent. A homeland territory and sense of collective history are also bases
for national solidarity (Hechter, 2000). Smith lists the following seven fea-
tures of a nation, and distinguishes ‘tribes’ and ethnic groups as having
some but not all of these:
●cultural differentiae;
●territorial contiguity with internal mobility;
●a relatively large population;
●external political relations;
●considerable group sentiment and loyalty;
●direct membership with equal citizenship rights;
●vertical economic integration around a common system of labour.
198 Understanding Third World Politics