Nationalism and Politics Custom Research by Essay Writers Essay

Introduction As the world semi policy-making climate has become more(prenominal) complex and in some cases outright hostile, many commonwealths obligate turned in struggled, embracing patriotism as a method of self preservation at the very least and at surpass, or worst depending upon unitys pass of view, pitting nations against one another in competition for spheric political status1. Because of these mixtures of patriotism and politics the question of why and how justifiably nationalism has been treated with suspicion by political thinkers becomes very relevant. In this paper, the question allow be discussed and explored with real world examples where appropriate.The Roots and Renaissance of nationalismNationalism, in one form or another, traces its European grow back at least 200 years most sources agree that the modern renaissance of nationalism can be defined as the period when the Cold War reached its apex in the early 1970s2. It was also during this period that nat ionalism became truly political in nature, as the two superpowers of the world at that time, the United States and the United Soviet Socialist Republic, each developed an intense infrastructure of national congratulate and protectionism while at the same time trying to advocate their respective political systems in other nations in an effort to gain allies for their war of politics and ideology3. With the key players in the world political game embracing nationalism in its rising form, the other nations of the world, large and small, soon followed suit. Along with the nationalism boom came suspicion of nationalism on the part of many of the worlds most keen political minds and powerful political players4.Justified scruple of Nationalism The suspicion on the part of the worlds political leaders is justified when one takes the time to look at world autobiography over the last century or so, painful examples of nationalism run amok abound. Many people do not realize it, but the roo ts of the Nazi party, the political machine of Adolf Hitler in the Germany of the 1930s-1940s, was based upon a very concentrated, and in hindsight toxic, form of German nationalism5. In this instance, Hitler, being a charismatic speaker system and power monger, used the fervor of nationalism to build a regime which ultimately claimed millions of innocent lives and hurtled the world into war for years. Behind the scenes, one can tho imagine how many more lives were shattered as a result of Nazi fervor and actions. Also, referring back briefly to the introduction of this paper, the entire communist apparent motion which came close to launching the world into war as well, had its beginnings in the elements of nationalism and the use by powerful and persuasive leaders to manipulate the masses into a system that would ultimately take away their freedom, their hope, and in some cases, their lives6. A present day example of possible nationalism and its potential to topple the political order exists in Great Britain, where sources indicate that there are forces within the government that advocate a concentrated form of nationalism, which ostensibly they maintain will give the common people more freedom, but in actuality, other sources claim, British nationalism would upset the established political order and lead to the decline of the Crown itself7.What all of this represents is a potential power struggle that would likely ensue with the demolition of the traditional political order in a nation that has a proud memoir of resilience. In fact, overall, the political leaders worldwide have in youthful years voiced a concern that the new, more virulent form of nationalism that has emerged since the height of the Cold War is actually a social movement in disguise, used by those with a hurt for political power to burn down the established order and, in its place, put their own governments that of course have their own best interests at heart8. The point that is made with these real-life examples is that the suspicion with which political leaders often view nationalism is justified. Any system that can devour an entire people against their will and best interests needs to be viewed with a certain degree of cynicism, and utilized only with the utmost caution.Nationalism and the World Economy Because of the close relationship between global politics and economics, the effect of nationalism on world economies is important to understand, and also provides solid evidence that leaders in every corner of the planet should likewise monitor nationalism from the vista of economic consequences. Taking into consideration the previously presented examples of political chaos caused by nationalism in its present most habitual form, it is not a far stretch to predict what would happen economically to accompany political upheaval. This is especially true when the use of reform nationalism is used. iron out nationalism surfaces under the premise that it will a ctually lead to greater economic opportunities through an overhaul of a given nations economy, in such forms as a revision of the tax codes, monetary policy, and the like9. While it ultimately is true that most cases of reform nationalism do lead to new economic opportunities, they are usually reserved for those in power, or more precisely newly in power, while the masses find themselves worse stumble than before. Unfortunately, this has happened time and time again in recent times due to the often volatile power systems in some nations classic examples in recent times include Bosnia, Serbia, and much of Eastern Europe following the collapse of communism10 .Key Considerations In this paper, real examples of the validity of suspicion against nationalism by political leaders has been presented, but perhaps just as importantly, the common citizen must be vigilant to make sure that their interests and rights are preserved as well, as a check and balance against the powers that exist wi thin politics this is true in any nation. As the old saying goes, those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it. ReferencesAnderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities Reflections on the Origin and short-circuit of Nationalism. Revised Edition ed. London and fresh York Verso, 1991.Anton Antonowicz Analyses the Lives of John Hume and David Trimble. (1998, October 17). The Mirror (London, England), p. 9.Beiner, Ronald, ed. Theorizing Nationalism. Albany State University of New York Press, 1999.Benner, Erica. (1995). rattling Existing Nationalisms A Post-Communist View from Marx and Engels. Oxford, Clarendon Press.Billig, Michael. Banal Nationalism. London Sage Publications, 1995.Blair Warns of English bane to New Britain Lets Stick Together PM Blasts rightfulness Agenda. (2000, March 28). Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), p. 6.Borntraeger, Ekkehard W. Borders, Ethnicity and National Self-Determination. Vienna Baumueller, 1999.Boyce, D. George. Nationalism in Ireland. Third Edition ed. London and New York Routledge, 1995.Brehony, K. J. and N. Rassool, ed. Nationalisms Old and New. New York St. Martins Press, 1999.Breuilly, John. Nationalism and the State. Chicago University of Chicago Press, 1985.Brubaker, Rogers. Nationalism Reframed Nationhood and the National Question in the New Europe. Cambridge Cambridge University Press, 1996.Bruce, Steve. The Edge of Union The Ulster Loyalist Political Vision. Oxford, New York and Toronto Oxford University Press, 1994.Burns, Jimmy. Bara A Peoples Passion. London Bloomsbury, 1999.Carter, A. (1997). Nationalism and Global Citizenship. The Australian Journal of Politics and History, 43(1), 67+.Cottam, M. L., & Cottam, R. W. (2001). Nationalism & Politics The Political Behavior of Nation States. Boulder, CO Lynne Rienner.Ercegovac, P. (1998). Competing National Ideologies, Cyclical ResponsesThe Mobilisation of the Irish, Basque and Croat National Movements to rising Against the State. Sydney, AU University o f Sydney.Glynn, P. (1994, August). Is Nationalism the Wave of the Future?. Commentary, 98, 42+.John McKie Will Kilroys New take care of UK Politics Be Orange? (2005, February 5). Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), p. 13.The Making of the British. (2005, June 27). The Evening Standard (London, England), p. 67.Wheatcroft, G. (1999, June). The Making of the English Middle Class. The Atlantic Monthly, 283, 128.1 Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Revised Edition ed. London and New York Verso, 1991.2Carter, A. (1997). Nationalism and Global Citizenship. The Australian Journal of Politics and History, 43(1), 67+.3Brubaker, Rogers. Nationalism Reframed Nationhood and the National Question in the New Europe. Cambridge Cambridge University Press, 1996.4Beiner, Ronald, ed. Theorizing Nationalism. Albany State University of New York Press, 1999.5Glynn, P. (1994, August). Is Nationalism the Wave of the Future?. Commentary, 98, 42+.6Cott am, M. L., & Cottam, R. W. (2001). Nationalism & Politics The Political Behavior of Nation States. Boulder, CO Lynne Rienner.7Blair Warns of English Threat to New Britain Lets Stick Together PM Blasts Right-Wing Agenda. (2000, March 28). Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), p. 6.8Ercegovac, P. (1998). Competing National Ideologies, Cyclical ResponsesThe Mobilisation of the Irish, Basque and Croat National Movements to Rebellion Against the State. Sydney, AU University of Sydney.9Breuilly, John. Nationalism and the State. Chicago University of Chicago Press, 1985.10Ercegovac, P. (1998). Competing National Ideologies, Cyclical ResponsesThe Mobilisation of the Irish, Basque and Croat National Movements to Rebellion Against the State. Sydney, AU University of Sydney.