NATIONALISM

Nationalism brings about peace and nationality (if successful) hope

and satisfaction. If not successful brings about war conflict
War needed nationalism and nationalism needed and invited war
Nationalism is a very huge and controversial issue
Nationalism can be happiness to one and violence to others.
[3]
Nation means people, state means territory in which people (nation)
are living => Nation-state
Basically the ideal type of nation-states composes of only
homogenous population without any other national communities. In
other words, where the size of people A takes up almost all the
territory, same kind of people speaking the same language and
sharing the same culture
[4]
One dominant people living in the territory
The nature of people (internal nature of state) should be the same,
homogenous
[5]
The differences of nation and ethnic group
- Nation consists of objective features: language, history,
common memory; subjective features as defined by Benedict
Anderson as an imagined political community
- Ethnic group: smaller than nation in terms of size and number; a
sub-category of nation. When we speak about ethnic groups, we
consciously or unconsciously assume that they are minor in
relation to other co-existing groups; have strong connotation,
implication; given a minority status, they are sometimes very
weak and oppressed in political and social matters, under
pressure by other majority groups
[6]
Nationalism is a political idea, sentiment, mood and actual behaviors
of a certain nation (people) who wish their own integration, autonomy
(independence), development, advancement in an exclusive way (at
the expense of others). This (nationalism) can be the cause of war
and conflicts sometimes to other people in other countries.
[7]
Two levels of nationalism: civil and ethnic nationalism
We could have two scenarios:
- Civic nationalism is commitment to the state -> state can be

strengthened, solidified; state is stable because there is no

rival, conflicts in the same territory. Seen in nation-state
Ethnic nationalism is commitment to a small group -> state is
separated, subverted. (ethnic group).
In bi-national states, a minority group can claim the territory to
be theirs and they can achieve independence, forming a new
small nation-state from larger state; but from the perspective of
the majority group, this is state division. Once these people get
their own state, ethnic nationalism will change to civic
nationalism because they already have their own state.

[8, 9, 10]
GERMANY
- In 1970 there were many small kingdoms and territories
governed by feudal lords basically the term German or
Germany did not exist
- Austria and Prussia were two major powers, became strong in
19th century (war period).
- Prussia became strong and defeated Austria and France
(enabled by industrial revolution)
- Dependence in 1871 (first German unification)
- Then the united Germany waged war against Europe -> WWI
- German nationalism stimulated England nationalism
- Germany defeat generated extreme ethnic nationalism
- After WWI Germany divided into West and East Germany,
nationalism in both places was rejected. At that time basically
no aspiration among Germans to unite, be integrated under one
country because CW era divided Germany in two and they were
rivals
- German generations identified themselves with the existing
states, not under Germany as a whole
- 1990 it was not nationalism that unite Germany, it was the step
towards the expansion of European Union
- TWO moments of unification of Germany were in 1871 (by
German nationalism) and 1990 (not German nationalism but the
integration of East Germany into West Germany, more
advanced)
[11]
INDIA
- British occupied India after 1815, causing anti-British sentiment
movement -> Indian nationalism
- India independent 1947 from Britain. At the same time Pakistan
became independent from Britain and mainland India (mainly
because of difference in religion) -> two phases of
independence

[12]
KURDS
- Dont know exact number of Kurds (more than 10 million)
- Kurdish language = common identity. They deserved
independence because of the size
- Collapse of Ottoman Empire led to many independent states
- American president Wilson 14 points (10, 11, 12: The Turkish
people should be governed by the Turkish government. NonTurks in the old Turkish empire should govern themselves.)
Kurds are non-Turks and they received support from Wilson, but
were rejected by Britain and France
[13]
Question is simple: Why people want to have independence?
Two big aspects: political and economic; and cultural and social
- Usually minority people are not granted equal opportunities,
always suffer some kind of oppression, harassment and human
rights abuse
- Culture: sometimes they cannot use their own language, cannot
practice their religion
Therefore, they demand state as a protection. Independent stage
will be a safe and peaceful place.
The roles of states: states are valuable and necessary institutions.
States are expected to uphold these values: security, freedom,
order, justice and welfare
People benefit from the state system
[14]
FINAL QUESTION FOR FINAL EXAM
Two conflicting principles:
- Legal support
UN: support the principle of self-determination of peoples
[15]
Declaration of United Nation General Assembly
Documents from UNGA are not binding, just recommendations
With this declaration, many African states became independent in the
1960s, the decade of African independence
[16]
Strong obstacles to self-determination is the principle of territorial
integrity. The territory of a state should not be divided and taken by
other states. This principle was very old, came into being in the
beginning of international relations (mid 17th century) in Europe. A
crucial principle, not allowing states to involve in aggressive

behaviors toward other states. -> non-intervention

If all states abide by this principle, there will be no war (mutual
respect for territorial integrity and non-intervention)
The idea of this principle was included in the declaration of
independence in UN Charter 1945 article 2-4 and article 7 [17]
From the morale and humanitarian point of view we should support
the minorities, help the weak. If minorities have a state, they govern
themselves in the state and they are free and happy. But in reality can
we apply the principle of territorial integrity to all minor groups
around the world? If we do, this will be chaotic, unstable, even
impractical. Judging from the number of states (193 UN) but even
more ethnic groups. Therefore, sometimes the right of selfdetermination and territorial integrity (of other states?) are conflicting
principles. [18]
Todays conclusion is not conclusion