Dynamics Between Civic and Ethnic Nationalism

公民民族主义和种族主义之间的相互作用Dynamics Between Civic and Ethnic NationalismContents摘要 IAbstract IIChapter 1 Introducing the issue.11.1 The issue of nationalism.11.2 Preview of the major contents1Chapter 2 Nationalism and its constituents.12.1 Definition and constituents of nationalism.12.2 The national population, national identity, membership.22.3 National sentiment.32.3.1National consciousness, national dignity, source of national sentiment32.3.2 Attitude towards others.32.4 The intensity of national loyalty .4Chapter 3 Nation-state and nationalism.53.1 An introduction to nation-state.53.2 Types of nationalism.53.2.1 Types of nationalism based on nationhood.53.2.2 Types of nationalism based on the relation with nation-state and national consciousness53.3 Nation-state and nationalism.6Chapter 4 Civic and ethnic nationalism.64.1 The introduction to civic and ethnic nationalism.64.1.1 Civic nationalism.64.1.1.1 Membership and national identity in civic nations.74.1.1.2 National sentiment in civic nationalism.94.1.1.3 Intensity of national loyalty.94.1.2 Ethnic nationalism.104.1.2.1 Membership and national identity in ethnic nations.104.1.2.2 National sentiment in ethnic nationalism.114.1.2.3 Intensity of national loyalty.124.2 The intermeshing of civic and ethnic nationalism.12Chapter 5 Conclusion.13References 14 Acknowledgements 15 摘 要不管是作为一项奋斗的事业, 还是苦难和战争酿成的一种情感, 民族主义作为过去的两个世纪中最广泛的社会和政治现象, 对文化、经济、政治等各个层面都产生了很大影响. 现在在二十世纪初, 民族主义继续动摇着各大洲: 种族紧张局势的不断涌现、政治冲突甚至战争的爆发, 这些都是民族主义的直接表现. 这导致人们对的民族主义普遍抱有消极的看法, 并对其本质有着怀疑. 这篇论文将探讨两个理论上走的路线和形式都不同的民族主义: 公民民族主义和种族民族主义. 一个民族主义要成功必须要有公民民族主义和民族主义良好的相互作用, 而不是相互排斥. 这两个民族主义的主要区别是其关注的重点, 以及在鉴定一个团体和社会的起点上的定义的不同. 本文将研究这两个民族的本质, 这些本质的表现, 同时本文还将批判地比较这两种民族主义, 以及这两种民族主义中相互作用的因素. 关键词：公民民族主义、种族主义、相互作用、民族认同AbstractBeing a cause to fight for, or a mere sentiment resulted from suffering and war, nationalism, as one of the greatest social and political phenomena of the last two centuries, has exerted a large influence on the world at all cultural, economical, political levels. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the paroxysms caused by nationalism continue to shake every continent. Resurgence of ethnic tension, war and political conflicts, which are direct consequences of nationalism, resulted in a prevailing negative perception on the subject itself. Thus nationalism has always being viewed with profound suspicion, and its nature often questioned. This study aims to explore two theoretically different routes and forms of exercise of nationalism. These two routes are civic nationalism and ethnic nationalism. For nationalism to be successful it must involve an interplay of the principles of both civic nationalism and ethnic nationalism, rather than having these components acting as mutually exclusive concepts. The key distinction between the two is their focus and the point at which they identify a group imagining themselves as a community and society. And this distinction and nature of the two nationalisms and their manifestation will be examined through out the thesis. Their respective cases will be critically examined with respect to those elements that determine the emergence of an interplay.Key words: civic nationalism, ethnic nationalism, modernity, high culture, national identity, national consciousness, nation-state Chapter 1 Introducing the Issue1.1 The Issue of NationalismNationalism, a noble yet abstract concept, as shown by historical records, is not a new phenomenon. From the American War of Independence to todays Chinese-Japanese tension, the past two centuries sees an increasing interplay of contradictory nationalisms, which have resulted in many a riots, insurgencies, wars, upheavals and catastrophes, collapse of empires and as well as the formation of states. Naturally, the perception of nationalism has been prevailingly negative. Now at the beginning of the twenty-first century, where we find ourselves at crosswords in history, culture and civilization, advances of which will continue shape our future, the question on nationalism is never more urgent. Nationalism is a “compulsive necessity for a certain socio-political form”. It can be progressive and regressive, constructive and destructive. It may initially emerge in a society as a part of its developmental process, but it does not disappear after this, rather it becomes imbedded in the functioning of that society in the future. To understand nationalism, the central issue is to understand the factors that contribute to the formation? How are these factors visible? As dynamic and diverse as our world is, a comparative study on two opposite types of nationalism: civic and ethnic nationalism, and their influence on our civilization, will contribute to the understanding of the underlying peril as well as promise our world holds. The urge to understand the world, combined with my interests in multiculturalism, which stems from my background as an English major, prompted this essay to emerge. Also above all reasons, as a debater attending debating championship on international level, the essay is specifically designed to facilitate the understanding of current events which make the headlines in the newspapers everyday. 1.2 Preview of the major contentsFor these purposes, this essay undertakes three tasks which are essential to the understanding. Firstly, it reviews the elements of the components of nationalism. Secondly, it dissects those components in order to isolate and highlight the most significant developmental factors of both civic nationalism and ethnic nationalism. In doing so, it compares and explores the many levels on which these factors manifest themselves. Thirdly, it concludes the comparison and proves that these two nationalisms are intermeshing in practice. Chapter 2 Nationalism and its Constituents2.1Definition and Constituents of NationalismNationalism holds that (ethnically or culturally defined) nations are the fundamental units for human social life, and makes certain cultural and political claims based upon that belief; in particular, the claim that the nation is the only legitimate basis for the state, and that each nation is entitled to its own state.1 Nationalism may manifest itself as part of official state ideology or as a popular (non-state) movement and may be expressed along civic, ethnic, cultural, religious or ideological lines. The concept of nationalism is not easy to define as the subject under study is not a single undifferentiated phenomenon. Here we will loosely define nationalism as a mass sentiment that endows the members of a national population with a sense of distinct common identity and evokes among them a strong collective allegiance to that community. Therefore, suggests from this definition are three major elements required for the formation of nationalism. First, a population. Second, a collective national sentiment (inward and outward). Finally, the intensity of loyalty (sentiment) to the nation. In the following, an analysis of those elements and their manifestation will be discussed in detail. 2.2 The National Population, National Identity, MembershipNational population is the principal building block of nationalism. It has been diversely termed people, nation, and nationality, and referred to communities of very different natures. Yet generally speaking, it stands for a stable community of people integrated by a combination of objective and subjective conditions, and has been associated with mainly three types of entity. The first is ethnic group with a collective lineage or of common descent. The membership is not given or voluntary, but destined and unchangeable. The second is cultural community, which is one of common historical heritage. The characteristic of this community is the distinct features of language, customs, norms, behavior, myths and symbols. The community itself is considered as inclusive, and membership voluntary. People or community with alien ethnic origin can be incorporated into the community so long as they adopt the culture and adapt to the way of life. The nation of Chinese people is a typical example of this community. The third is sovereign state, which also gives the name to civic nationalism, the dimension of which is confined to territorial, political, legal-three levels. Membership of the civic nation is considered voluntary and open to all people regardless of their descent, race, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Citizens are held together by a liberal political culture, specifically abstract principles and ideals. The United States of America and France is often cited as an example of such. As has already been stated, national population is the building block of nationalism. The nature of membership and the admission standards is virtually the core issue of any nationalism. This will be discussed in detail in Chapter Four within the framework of civic and ethnic nationalism. 2.3 National Sentiment According to Greenfeld, national identity is, fundamentally a matter of dignity.2 Nationalism has a great psychological depth. The psychology of nationalism is important for the group as a unit for it inspires and motivates the group. It appears to individuals of all types who are in struggle for a nation. The emotional appeal of nationalism is visible even in established and stable nation-states. Therefore exploring the psychology of nationalism and how it manifests itself is important to the understanding of nationalism. The social psychology of nations also includes, beside national identity (the individuals sense of belonging to a group), national pride. It can be agreed that whenever there is a community involved, there naturally are emotions generated. Given that a nations dignity is in deep association with the environment which natures or harms it, the national sentiments include those towards the nation itself and those towards others. 2.3.1 National consciousness, national dignity, and source of national sentimentHow do people feel about their own country? A national sentiment infuses a persons perceptions and interpretations, and vice versa. Similar to peoples pride and dignity, national sentiment mainly includes national pride, anxiety and of course negative sentiments such as humiliation. National pride is often found in economically prosperous or politically influential countries. A typical example is the United States. National anxiety is a subtle concern over a nations well-being, health, security, etc. And national humiliation is more likely related to foreign oppression, suppression, invasion or encroachment of any other kind. The memory of the past results in a pervasive sense of responsibility, which helps foster national solidarity. 2.3.2 Attitude towards others Whenever there is an us, there is an other. The issue of others is implied in all nationalism. Nations may assume the following three stances towards others, based on their own self-esteem. The first is superior, arrogant and aggressive nationalism. Nations who take this stance towards others are often strong and secure, and who have the tendency of tending to others more than themselves. When dealing with others, a sense of superiority is often aroused and later become manipulative. Specifically, this impulse of superiority prompts those nations to interfere with other nations internal affairs. The impulse also frequently manifests itself in an eagerness to use the self-granted right in order to impose values and standards upon others. However, this profound sense of superiority often blinds those nations to their own chauvinist, manipulative and aggressive nature of nationalism or imperialism.Another type of nationalism is distrust, xenophobia and reactive nationalism. Weak and insecure nations often embody a resentment towards others which stems from the deep distrust in foreign nations. This suspicion and fear, mingled with resentment of foreign infringement often lead those nations to reject, shut out, and cut off ties with the outside world and instead, crave for and contend themselves with self-sufficiency. With this cornered-animal characteristic, those countries are extremely sensitive to and vulnerable at foreign pressure and insults, real or perceived, and only react when have to. However, in todays world politics, this nationalism is still often confused with aggression. Last but not the least, a pride, confidence, and affirmative nationalism. Most of the nations today are neither too strong nor too weak. They are proud of their traditional cultures and contemporary achievements, but have little desire or capacity to be intrusive in dealing with others. They attach great importance to independence, and at the same time remain active in interacting with others. Having introduced those six different types of national sentiments, it needs to be said that those sentiments are never isolated from each other. In fact they often interplay and blend into myriads of combinations of what we call existing nationalism. 2.4 The Intensity of National LoyaltyWhen the state is being established to guarantee the autonomy of a nation, a nation-state in turn claims loyalty and allegiance. Variations of the strength of national loyalty may range on a continuum between two extremes. On extreme, the national interests are elevated to a position of supremacy and loyalty to the nation is seen accordingly as the supreme good, overriding all other political loyalties and public obligations. This is a my country right or wrong orientation, which demands, if necessary, supreme sacrifice. Towards the center is a position that gives nation-centered loyalty precedence over primordial commitments such as those toward family, regions, religion, and ethnical group, but does not necessarily treat it as an absolute priority. While loyalty to the nation does come first, commitments to the rest of humanity, including those who are not the members of ones own nation, are not ignored. On the other extreme is cosmopolitanism, which regards it morally intolerable to assert that the nation overrides all other claims on the individual. It accords national loyalty only prima facie status and directs ones primary obligations to all human beings. The problem is that cosmopolitanism remains merely a moral doctrine. No really existing nationalism has ever unreservedly embraced it. Chapter 3 Nation-state and Nationalism3.1 The Introduction to Nation-stateTo understand nationalism is impossible without the understanding of the concept of nation-state. A nation-state is a specific form of state (a political entity), which exists to provide a sovereign territory for a particular nation (a cultural entity), and which derives its legitimacy from that function.3 The Compact OED defines nation-state as a sovereign state of which most of the citizens or subjects are united also by factors which define a nation, such as language or common descent. Nation-state involves two concepts-nation and state. As state is easily absorbable, here we will look at the definition of nation. 3.2 Types of Nationalism3.2.1 Types of nationalism based on national populationMany attempts have been made to define the term nation but none have been successful. Because the term nation has been used to refer to communities of different natures, we agree that the constituents of a populace largely decide the type of nation, and consequently the type of nationalism. Therefore, the definition of the populace is often used to classify types of nationalism. As has been shown in Chapter 2, there are three types of national population. Thus based on the three nation entities, there are three types of nationalism universally acknowledged. They are respectively: ethnic nationalism, cultural nationalism, civic nationalism. Among which civic nationalism and ethnic nationalism are the most contrasting and active, and are, naturally, the focus of this thesis.3.2.2 Types of nationalism based on the relation with nation-state and national consciousnessAnother interesting and sophisticated approach to the splitting of nationalism was offered by Rogers Brubaker. According to him there are two types of nationalism in regard to the formation and pursuit of nation-states, and he used France and Germany as demonstrations. The type of nationalism in these two countries is determined by whether the national feeling emerged before or after the development of a nation-state. In France the national feeling occurred after the nation-state developed thus its an example of civic nationalism. But in Germany national sentiments preceded the emergence of a state and adopted the character of the Volk, meaning its development into a nation-state was not a political development but an ethno cultural one.43.3 Nation-state and NationalismHowever the nationalisms are classified, the common feature of both civic and ethnic nationalism would be their aim: states to have their own nation and nations to have their own state. It should be noted that in order to reach this goal and nationalism must involve interplay of the principles of all civic, cultural and ethnic factors. The next chapter is devoted to the comparison and discussion of the most prominent differences between civic and ethnic nationalisms, and the reason why even though they are theoretically separate, they are, however, collaborative in practice.Chapter 4 Civic and Ethnic Nationalism4.1 The Introduction to Civic and Ethnic NationalismAmong the many theories of nationalism, the most contentious is a dualist view which classifies nationalism into two categories, civic and ethnic. These two types of nationalism are always presented as a dichotomy set against one another. According to the classification of these two nationalisms, the key distinction between the two is their focus, the point around which people begin to identify and imagine themselves as a community.5 This chapter will examine the theories presented by the modernists and ethicists in explaining the process of nationalism within the framework of modernity, and demonstrate that despite the distinction between civic and ethnic nationalism in theory, one cannot deny civic nations of ethnic virtues, not ethnic of civic virtues, for they are intermeshing in practice. 4.1.1 Civic nationalism Civic nationalism is believed to be exercised in areas where there exists a civil society, and lies within the traditions of rationalism and liberalism. In a civic nation, people feel they belong to the same community, which is governed by law. The sovereignty of the people is located in the individual whose national identity is a sense of political community within a demarcated territory. In this form of nationalism the state derives political legitimacy from the active participation of its citizenry, from the degree to