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Chapter 3
Part
Three: Definition, Basis and Characteristics of Nationalism
1- Definition
of Nationalism'Patriotism' is
the equivalent of nationalism. In Latin, 'natio' and 'nitus' means 'the place
of birth'. Political scientists have given different definitions of
nationalism.
Carlton Hayes
says:
"A nation is an
independent political group with a common world-view and cultural heritage." [1]
In this
definition, a common political organization and cultural unity are considered
as the main factors in forming a nation.
Hans Kohn says:
"The
co-existence of a special group in a single realm is the factor for forming a
nation. Being brought up in a natural and geographical environment creates the
greatest unit of tribal solidarity between individuals. The group which on this
basis feels a joint interest and expediency, forms a nation." [2]
Luigo says:
"A nation is a
collection of individuals who are joined together by the factor of territory,
blood, language, culture or history." [3]
Salo Baron
describes a nation as follows: [4]
"The word
'nation' is applied to a group of people who live in the same land and are
joined together by common political organizations."
Kohn says of the
characteristics of nationalism: [5]
"A deep feeling
of attachment to a homeland and absolute loyalty to it, and a sense of sharing
its destiny are the basis of nationalism, which is genuine when no other factor
checks the loyalty to the homeland."
The American
Encyclopedia defines nationalism as follows:
"Loyalty and
attachment to a national unity are more significant than any other attachment
in the question of nationalism. Other characteristics of nationalism are pride
in the achievements of one's nation, a deep belief in the distinction of one's
nation and even its superiority over other nations." [6]
Hayes, too,
repeats, the same point and writes:
"Loyalty and
attachment to the interior of the group (namely the nation and homeland) are
the basis of nationalism." [7]
An analysis of
the above definitions clarifies two points:
A) Giving
authenticity to territory, blood or language is the basis of nationalism.
Instead of basing unity on belief and ideology, nationalism bases it on
language, territory and race. Homeland and nationality become the axis of
patriotism. In answer to the question as to what is the main factor behind the
building of a separate identity, the school of nationalism has this to say:
'What
distinguishes a human being from another, is not his belief, but his
birth-place, homeland, language and race. Those who are within the four walls
of the homeland and nation, belong to it, and those who are outside it, are
aliens. National interests and expediency are the criteria of the propriety or
impropriety and goodness or badness of everything and the measure for the
evaluation of the individual and social conduct'. To the school of nationalism,
the factors behind the formation of a nation are material in nature, like
geographical frontiers, language, race and political organizations. It is on
the basis of these factors that the people have a feeling of sharing a single
destiny and a common past.
B) The next
basic characteristic of nationalism is that all the loyalty is centered upon
the homeland. All other loyalties such as loyalty to God, religion, belief and
ideology are subordinated to loyalty to the country and nation. No loyalty
should check patriotism, and when religious sentiments come in opposition with
patriotic sentiments, the latter must prevail.
This is a
principle which no nationalist can ignore. Man lives for his country and offers
his life for it, and not for anything else. It is attachment to nationality
that gives direction to one's individual and social postures, not attachment to
religion and ideology. A human being takes pride in his national achievements
and feels dependent on its cultural heritage, not on the history of religion
and his faith.
A nationalist
believes deeply that nation and country are superior to all others, attributing
all the good things to them.
2-
Nationalism and Secularism
According to the
above view, nationalism is closely linked with secularism, in view of the
necessity of separation between government and religion, and politics from
creed. One of the basic principles of nationalism is a rejection of religious
bonds and an acceptance of a secularistic order.
One of the main
slogans of Egyptian nationalism was:
"Religion is
related to God (meaning personal acts of devotion) and homeland is connected
with society (i.e. social-political life). Secularism means that religion is
something subjective that must be confined to an individual's private and
family life, and religious feelings and ideas should not interfere in the
socio-politico set-up, be the concern of nationalism only. So the
socio-politico roots of religion should be severed from politics.
Nationalism
leads directly to secularism. The belief that national unity must be based on a
common land, race or language, necessitates that religion be kept apart from
politics. Thus, secularism paves the way for the domination of nationalism,
since according to this school of thought, religion and nationalism cannot rule
at the same time in the same realm.
Secularism is
the twin brother of nationalism and it changes the meaning of minorities. In a
government founded on religion, the followers of other creeds and schools are
regarded as minorities, but with nationalism and secularism, there are only
racial, political and regional minorities. Nationalism claims that religious
beliefs prevent national unity and religious minorities feel themselves
alienated. The only proper basis is geographical, racial or lingual
nationality. The main duty of everyone is the patriotic duty, and religious
duty is subordinate to it, and confined to personal belief. The patriotic duty
of everyone is to sacrifice everything, even religion, for the nation and
country and serve and fight for them.
3- Basis and
other characteristics of the school of nationalism
Nationalism
considers sovereignty as a tool to protect the country and its citizens, not
one for enforcing a particular ideology and system.
Economy, too, is
based on national interest and welfare, not on what is legitimate or
illegitimate. Culture, art, poetry and literature are the means for depicting
national pride and greatness and creation of solidarity and inspiring racial
sentiments.
To nationalism,
the strongest factors directing individual and social life, determining
intellectual and political postures, are the country and nation. As Ibn-Khaldoon
says, the element behind patriotism is nationality.
Some of the other
characteristics of nationalism are:
Belief that one
should defend a compatriot against a foreigner, whether the former is in the
right or not.
2) Eulogizing
and almost worship of national personalities and historical heroes of one's
country.
3) Revival of
past traditions such as ancient idolatry. Neo-nationalism too, in this
connection, relies on myths, ancient and dead customs, such as the ceremonies
of the last Tuesday night of the year.
Egyptian
nationalism, the most eloquent spokesman of which was Taha Hossein, did its
utmost to revive the relics of the old pharaonic civilization. Lofti-el-Sayed,
the well-known Egyptian nationalist suggested that his compatriots should have
a knowledge of the old and brilliant Egyptian civilization in order to ensure
the continuity of their history [8]. Likewise, Iranian nationalism was tried
to relate the Iranian nation to Cyrus and Darius, not to Muhammad (s).
4) A tendency to
distort historical facts to glorify one's country, and to invent stories and
create models to show one's nation at its best.
5) Like old
Totemism, there are special emblems in nationalism which are given sanctity.
The flag, national emblem, and national anthem are considered sacred, for each
of which a human being has the duty of self-sacrifice.
4-
Nationalism as a pseudo-religion
Thus, we see
that nationalism is a pseudo-religion which is its own god and its own prophet.
(Ferdowsi, for example, is regarded as a prophet of Iranian nationalism). This
creed has its own totems, idols, models, ceremonies and ethical rules. In fact,
Westerners created a creed which they called nationalism on the basis of
patriotism, which is rooted in human instincts, after which they exported it to
the East.
5-
Nationalism as an advanced tribal system
Westerners lay
the foundation of nationalism on the in-group feeling, patriotism and tribal
attachment. A critical examination of the school of nationalism would show it
to be similar to the tribal system of Totemism.
Unity in the
tribal system was founded on a community of blood and land, with a total
disregard of right and wrong, and on chastity, honesty and belief. Whoever
belonged to the tribe was shown affection, and whoever did not belong to it was
considered an alien.
Nationalism too,
is similar in this respect. In the tribal system, wars and peace were made for
the tribe's sake. A person was proud of his membership in the tribe and very often
looked with scorn upon others. The tribe was an organization under whose
umbrella, the members felt secure. Nationalism also gives rise to similar
sentiments.
Some elements of
the tribal system of Totemism, too, have found their way in nationalism. Every
tribe had a totem in which the members felt that a spiritual power protected
the tribe. Moreover, while 'homeland' is the great totem of the modern man,
nationalism is as illegal and unjustifiable as Totemism. Some groups fight for
the lion (emblem of Britain) and blue flag; and some fight for the
eagle (German emblem) or for the red flag. While Totemism was the factor behind
tribal unity, today the 'country' plays the same role.
Notes:
[1] J. H.
Carlton Hayes: Essays on Nationalism, New
York, 1926, p. 9.
[2] Hans Kohn:
The idea of Nationalism: its origin and background, New York, 1944. p. 14,
[3] Luigo:
Nationalism and Internationalism, New
York, 1946, p. 25,.
[4] Salo. W.
Baron: Modern Nationalism and Religion, p. 31.
[5] Hans Kohn:
The Idea of Nationalism, New
York, 1927, p. 15.
[6] Nationalism
commotes a loyalty to the group entity, superior to all other loyalties
(Encyclopaedia Americana).
[7] Carlton Haves: Essays on Nationalism, p. 56.
[8] Refer to:
"Muqaddamata -Leddera sat-ul-Fekr-ul-siasial-Arabi", p.101.
