Class 11 political theory chapter 7 Nationalism notes cbse ncert

 Level Up Your Preparation with B.M.Academia: A Deep Dive into

Nationalism
Watch explanation here:

One Can't Define Nationalism in a Single Way

• Nationalism is both positive and negative, and it has shaped history in profound ways.
• It has liberated people from oppression but has also led to wars and conflicts.
• It resulted in the breakup of empires and the redrawing of boundaries.

Phases of Nationalism

• Nationalism has passed through many phases over time.
• It led to the unification of various states.
• Local dialects and identities were consolidated into a common language and state identity in Europe.
• On the other hand, it also resulted in the breaking up of large empires, such as the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires.
• The process of redrawing state boundaries continues to this day, with many groups demanding separate states.

Nation and Nationalism

• A nation is not a random collection of people, nor is it similar to a tribe.
• It is not merely a group that shares the same descent, language, or ethnicity.

A nation is largely an imagined community, held together by collective beliefs, aspirations, and shared imagination of its members.

Shared Beliefs in a Nation

A nation is constituted by:

• A shared vision for the future of a group that aspires to have independent political existence.
• A belief among its members that they belong together.

History and Nationalism

Nations perceive themselves as stretching back into the past while also reaching into the future.

• They develop a strong sense of historical continuity.
• This idea is well-articulated in Jawaharlal Nehru's book, The Discovery of India.

Territory and National Identity

• Nations identify with a specific territory and claim it as their homeland.
• Different nations define their homeland in unique ways: some call it the "motherland," "fatherland," or even a "holy land."

For example:
The Jewish people claimed Palestine as their "Promised Land."

Shared Political Ideals and Nationalism

• Members of a nation-state share a vision of the kind of state they want to build.
• In democracies, a commitment to political values and ideals is essential for national unity.
• A nation is stronger when its citizens recognize their obligations toward each other.

Common Political Identity

Some argue that a common culture and language are necessary to create a national identity. However, this can pose a threat to democratic values because:

1. All major religions and cultures are diverse. Ignoring this diversity can lead to an oppressive society.
2. Most societies are culturally diverse. Enforcing a single national identity would exclude certain groups, which is against democratic principles.

National Self-Determination

• Nations seek the right to self-determination, meaning they seek recognition and acceptance by the international community.
• The idea of "one nation, one culture, one state" gained acceptance in  World War I, influencing state boundary reordering.

Challenges of National Self-Determination

• Redrawing boundaries led to mass displacement of millions of people.
• Even with these changes, the ideal of "one culture, one state" was not fully achieved.
• Minority communities were often disadvantaged in newly formed nation-states.

The right to self-determination fueled liberation movements in Asia and Africa, but:

• Not all groups could achieve political independence.
• This led to a paradox where newly independent nations that once struggled for freedom now had their own minority groups demanding rights.

The Solution?

Instead of creating new states, existing states should become more democratic , equal and inclusive.

The Basque Nationalist Movement

The Basque region in Spain is a hilly and prosperous area recognized as an autonomous region within the Spanish federation. 

However, Basque nationalist leaders seek full independence, arguing that their distinct culture, language, and geography set them apart from Spain.

• The movement emerged in the late 19th century when Spanish rulers attempted to abolish Basque autonomy.
• Repression intensified under Francisco Franco’s dictatorship (1939–1975), during which the Basque language was banned in both public and private spaces.
• Though these restrictions have been lifted, Basque nationalists remain distrustful of the Spanish government and fear cultural dilution due to migration.

While separatists continue to push for independence, their opponents argue that the issue has already been legally resolved and that the movement is politically motivated rather than a cultural necessity.

Rabindranath Tagore’s Views on Patriotism and Humanity

Rabindranath Tagore, India’s first Nobel Laureate, had a unique perspective on nationalism.
He believed that patriotism should never override humanity.

• While he opposed colonial rule and supported India’s independence, he criticized the British administration for failing to uphold human dignity.
• He distinguished between resisting Western imperialism and rejecting Western civilization altogether.

Tagore’s Critique of Narrow Nationalism

• He warned that blindly rejecting the West in favor of Indian traditions could lead to hostility toward foreign influences.
• Tagore advocated for balance, urging Indians to embrace their culture while learning from global ideas.
• He noted that India had long been home to multiple religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Islam. Rejecting outside influences could lead to an intolerant and regressive society.

Tagore’s Vision for Nationalism

Tagore believed that true nationalism should be based on universal human values rather than just territorial or linguistic unity. His thoughts remain relevant today, especially in an era where nationalism often fuels divisions rather than unity.

Nationalism and Pluralism

To maintain peace and unity, societies must find ways for different communities to coexist.
For example:

• The Indian Constitution includes many provisions that promote multiculturalism and minority rights.
• Various countries grant different rights to ensure cultural diversity is respected.
• A more inclusive approach is needed for recognizing different cultures within a nation.

Current Challenges

Despite these measures, some groups still demand separate statehood. The challenge for modern nations is to balance unity and diversity while maintaining democracy and equality for all.

The chapter comes to an end best luck for your exams. Don't forget to subscribe for updates

“We’re grateful for your readership and hope you found this information useful. Stay tuned for more insightful posts!”

Click here for more such notes