MEANING OF IDEOLOGY:-
1) Role and Purpose of a Ideology
Why ideologies are so popular? What is the role of ideologies. The role of ideologies are as under: 1) Ideologies work as the main spring of political action. They are very useful in organizing people and unifying their efforts in establishing the desired political order.
Most mass movements in the world have been inspired by political, economic or religious ideologies. Ideology gives a strong emotional appeal to those who are committed to it. Hence its followers demonstrate their feelings for it. which works as the mainspring of political action. Thus ideologies promote political action. Hence many times political leaders use-ideology as a tool and manipulate public opinion in favour of or against a particular issue.
(2) Ideologies make human Lives meaningful-
Besides the satisfaction of the materiastic desires, a sense of mission and purpose is also very much essential to make life meaningful. Ideologies provide the higher faith to which the individuals can devote themselves. All this is an essential as the satisfaction of the basic material wants.
(3) Political ideologies hold political communities together- In the past, it was the religion which supplied the necessary institutional and organisational apparatus for holding political communities together. However with the decline of established
religions in the modern age, political ideologies have come to play this linking role.
(4) Political ideologies cause tensions and wars-
Political ideologies not only cause tensions or war of ideas within a country, but also lead to actual wars between nations. For example the ideologies of liberalism and communism came in open conflict with each other and also led to the division of the world into two blocs. All conflicts at the international and local levels originate from the conflict of ideologies.
(5) Ideologies influence all aspects of social life-
Ideologies are used as means of effective social control.
Modern ideologies have attacked the tradition ideas and put forth new ideas and provided a new spiritual basis for social life.
(6) use as tool- In some of the developing countries, ideologies are used as national tool for achieving government stability. Even the functionalist regard political ideology as an essential part of the social system and view it as a stabilising force. An ideology can make or break a nation.
Role and Purpose of an ideology
1 2 3 4 5 6
Work as the main spring of political action
Make human lives meaningful
hold political communities together
Cause tensions and wars
Influence all aspects of social life
Use as tool
Conclusion: - Every country today follows one or the other political ideology. For example The united states is wedded to the capitalist economic system, china committed to communist ideology.
Whether it is a developed or backward country political ideology plays a decisive role in shaping, moulding and guiding the political behaviour of people, parties and nations.
Check your progress:- 1) What is an ideology?
2) What purpose do ideologies serve?
Nationalism :- Introduction –is a development of the modern times.
It‟s origin is to be traced to post renaissance Europe, more precisely to the period after the French revolution of 1789. The rise of nationalism in modern Europe led to the consolidation of nation states and the reorganization of Europe in the 19th and 20th century.
Meaning:-
It is not an ideology, it is a political concept. It implies one's attitude and feelings towards one's nation and people.
There is the difference between 'Nation' and 'country'. In the political sense, country implies a state possessing a definite territory, government, citizens and sovereignty. Nation means state + the spirit of unity among the people.
A country becomes a nation only when its citizens share a sense of belongingness i.e. the citizens of the country must identify themselves as one community and share a bond of mutual love and togetherness ie the feeling of oneness or nationalism Nation, Nationality and Nationalism are the concepts which are related to each other.
Meaning of Nation:-
The term nation has been derived. from the Latin word 'natio' meaning belonging to a common race. Therefore the term nation means population of a state coming from a common race. However, the term is not used in such a narrow sense today. It refers to a body of people who are united by the ties of common race, language, economic and political aspirations etc.
Lord Bryce defines a nation "a nationality which has organised itself into a political body, either independent or desiring to be independent."
What is Nationality?-
Nationality means a body of people who are emotionally, psychologically and spiritually bound together by common ties of language, ideas etc. It can exist even under a foreign rule. eg.
Indian nationality existed even under British rule. Jewish nationality, was spread all over the world even before formation of Israel.
Nationality becomes a nation when it acquires sovereignty.
Thus Nationality + Sovereignty = Nation.
What is Nationalism?
Nationalism in simple words means a feeling of oneness. It implies patriotism, loyalty and the willingness to sacrifice for one's nation.
Hence the Indian struggle for freedom is also known as the Indian Nationalist Movement.
Encyclopedia of philosophy says, "The term nationalism is generally used to describe two phenomena: (1) the attitude that the members of a nation have when they care about their national identity and (2) the actions that the members of a nation take when seeking to achieve self-determination."
M Crawford Young- defines nationalism as "An ideology claiming that a given human population has a natural solidarity based on shared history and a common destiny. This collective identity based
on shared history and a common destiny. This collective identity as a historically constituted people crucially entails the right to constitute an independent or autonomous political community. The idea of nationalism takes form historically in tandem with the doctrine of popular sovereignty: that the ultimate source of authority lies in the people, not the ruler or government."
Meaning of Nationalism
1 2 3 4
Difference between
Nation and country Origin of the word definition of Bryce Nation, Nationalism Nationality are related to each other
Features of Nationalism :- From the above definitions. important Features (implications) are as follows:-
(1) Nationalism is an attitude, feeling-
It is only a feeling of love and belonging for one's nation as it is. Nationalism and the love for one's Motherland does inspire people to reform one's nation. For example, it was when the patriotism of the Indian masses was aroused that they began to actively participate in the struggle against the British. As such nationalism is a perspective, an attitude, sentiment, feeling, a sense of identity, a psychological orientation.
(2) Nationalism translates into patriotic action-
An individual or community that possesses a strong sense of belonging to one's nation tends to display such affection by outward action such as joining the military services, attending flag hoisting ceremonies etc.
Many times an excessive degree of nationalism may lead to unhealthy displays of patriot son such as burning the national flag of other countries, assaulting people of other nations etc.
(3) Nationalism leads to self-determination-
Self-determination implies that every individual possesses the right to decide for himself which nation and community he wishes to be identified with. In recent decades self determination is accepted as a fundamental human right.
But no government would permit a secessionist group to divide the country.
(4) Nationalism usually stems from homogeneity-
In the political sense, homogeneity refers to sameness of population i.e. common language, religion, race, culture, history etc.
It may be observed that the strongest nations are those in which the majority population is homogenous. Hence, Japan is known to be a strong by nationalistic state because nearly all citizens belong to the same race, speak the same language, practice the same culture. Such homogeneity contributes towards strengthening the spirit of belongingness amongst people.
(5) Nationalism can override heterogeneity-
Nationalism can exist even in the absence of homogeneity.
In India there is Unity in diversity.
Being a land of numerous religions, languages, cultures India is a nation. This is because despite their differences people still share the feeling of Indianness.
(6) Nationalism implies burning love for one's own country- Nationalism refers to a special spirit of oneness or common consciousness among the people based on political historical, psychological and other factors in a state. This bond not only holds people together but also makes them serve, suffer and even sacrifice their lives for the sake of the nation.
Summary table on
Features of nationalism
1 2 3 4 5 6
It is an attitude
feeling patriotic action leads to self
determination homogeneity override
heterogeneity burning love
Determinants of Nationalism:- Table on Determinations of nationalism.
Determinants of Nationalism
1 2 3
Meaning of determinants Determinates Factors
1. Geographical Unity 2. Common historical
traditions 3. Unity of language 4. Unity of culture 5. Common religion 6. Common race 7. Region
8. Common political aspirations 9. Common economic
Challenges to nationalism
interest
10. Psychological factors
Some factors plays the crucial role in creating. promoting and sustaining nationalism are as follows:-
(1) Geographical Unity- Defined territory is one of the most powerful factors creating and promoting nationalism. Every individual has instinctive attachment to the land of his birth. If people live in the same area for a long time their living and thinking becomes common and they come closer. People coming from the same region have common physical features like structure of body, eyes, hair etc. They share certain psychological traits as well.
Geographical proximity can bind people together and create national feelings among
them. This leads to their commonly inhabited land often being described as 'homeland' or 'motherland'
(2) Common historical Traditions- A peep into the historical background makes people feel proud of the past glory, their suffering and keeps them united. The Indian nationalism despite her heterogeneous population only by the common memory of British subjugation and the Freedom struggle that all Indians share has been kept together. Legendary heroes too can inspire unity and promote national feelings amongst the masses.
(3) Unity of language- Common language projects common ideas, ideals, sentiments etc. Linguistic unity creates and preserves a literary heritage, promotes understanding and a strong unity.
Today, however, most countries are multi-lingual and this diversity of language has the potential to disrupt the national feelings.
Therefore countries like India and USA must overcome such challenges to nation-building through appropriate structural and emotional devices.
(4) Unity of Culture- Unity of Culture implies that people share common customs and traditions, common literature and art, epics etc. Novels like 'Anandmath' or writings of Mahatma Gandhi Tilak evoked a strong sense of nationalism.
(5) Common Religion- It is one of the most important factors promoting nationalism even today. It binds people together. But it is double edged sword because it divides people belonging to different religions. Secular philosophy has given rise to the co-existence of different religious communities within the same state.
Modern states tolerate all religions and consider that it is a personal matter.
(6) Common Race- It is a great unifying factor. It binds people together having common ancestors. However, no race is pure
today. Judging nationalism only on the basis of race would be wrong. False race theories cause second world war. Hence, its applicability should be treated only in a limited sense.
(7) Region- The region where one was born, brought up, and was first successful holds great significance to the average man. Man's ties to 'the soil that fed and nurtured him' cannot be ignored. Such geographical ties are manifested in the form of regional nationalism, where in people identify themselves with the people of the land that they come from. Regionalism is very evident in India, where people from one region of the country enagage in silly fights against people from other regions.
(8) Common Political aspirations and common political system:- Common constitution, laws and institutions strengthened nationalism After independence in India federal system many unifying factors eg. single constitution, single judiciary, one citizenship, strong central government are accepted. These factors help for strengthening the feeling of nationalism in Indian people.
An individual's political beliefs and opinions often take him towards communities that share similar beliefs. For instance, the Communist Parties in India attract supporters of the communist ideology from all walks of life. These communists are united by their common goal of making India a communist state.
In India prior to independence it was the common political desire for an independent India that brought leaders and masses together and inspired in them the nationalism that led them to fight for the nation's freedom.
(9) Common Economic interest- A common economic interest is very important. However, economic motives alone can not foster nationalism.
(10) Psychological factors- Above all, people should feel that they are one. If the people are bound together by bonds of love, togetherness and belonging, then racial, religious, cultural diversity too can prove to be insignificant enough. Thus nationalism remains intact not just by the presence of common history and common culture but rather by the pride and vigilance demonstrated by the inhabitants of a state.
Challenges to nationalism:-
Dissimilarities in language, culture, religion, region, race, history and political loyalties are the challenges to nationalism in any state. For instance in spite of a number of unifying forces promoting and preserving the national unity of our country, there are several divisive forces, which are threatening to destroy the fabric of national unity in India. Communalism, Regionalism,
linguism, economic inequalities all are the divisive forces in Indian nationalism.
Nationalism
1 2 3 4
Meaning 1. difference 2. origin 3. Bruce 4. Nation
Nationalism Nationality
Features 1. attitude feeling 2. patriotic action 3. leads to self
determination 4. homogeneity 5. override
heterogeneity 6. burning love
Determinants 1. Meaning
2. Geographical Unity 3. Unity of language 4. Unity of culture 5. Common religion 6. Common race 7. Region 8. Political
aspirations 9. economic interest 10. history
11. psychological factors
Challenges 1. Communalism 2. Regionalism 3. Linguism 4. economic
inequalities
Check your progress:- 1) Define nationalism.
2) Discuss it‟s features.
3) What are the various factors that promote nationalism?
QUESTIONS
1) Explain the term „Nation‟ and elaborate its constituent elements.
2) What is nationalism? Give an account of the factors that promote nationalism.