Nation State, Nationality and Nationalism : A new perspective

Dr L Krishnamangol Singh
Thus, the concept of "nation" or "entire nation" (i.e. the whole nation ) is used and there are territorial boundaries of its states or demarcation of the states within the entire Nation which has one sovereignty, one territorial totality, one central government or one central authority, the States of the nation and a large number of peoples or citizens recognized by the Central and State Governments. It is found that the term states were merged into the nation-states. Therefore, the nation-states or modern nations which again led to the emergence of nationalism. And, sometimes the "State" is also synonymously used as a "Nation".
But the term nation is now commonly used to imply an independent country within a fixed geographical boundary.  And the term "Nations" also involves many ethnic, cultural, political, historical factors etc. And, it is also found that the national interest has assumed a great significance in building up and development of a nations. In fact, every modern nation seeks to increase the power of the nation and knows the interests of other nations in order to avoid conflicts and wars that may happen at any time (Cf. Prakash C., 1979, p.26). Another feature of the modern nation based on the earlier nation-state (i.e. the earlier stage of the state as a nation) relates to the existence of the territory of the modern nation. This feature of the territory, of the nation, which is also politically recognized as the territoriality of the modern state/modern nation or the state (Independent Country), need not be disturbed/attacked or conquered by any state or nation (i.e. by any state or nation that fulfils the modern features or modern characteristic features of the state or nation). Thus, the Nation which is made of the states is ultimately or finally emerged as nationalism of all the people or groups of peoples inhabiting within The said nation. In this context, it can be concluded that the term "nationalism" is the outcome of the nation.  And, it is the patriotic feeling of the peoples inhibiting within the nation or the country. Another import aspect of nationalism is that during the colonial rule or period, the people of the country could fight at the cost of their lives for the nation. Thus, there was conflict between the ruling class or the colonialists/colonizers and the dominated people (i.e. the people or the indigenous people dominated or ruled by the foreign country). In fact, there were class conflicts during the colonial period or colonial era. The people of the nation particularly the indigenous people could sacrifice even their lives for restoring their Independence of nation-state or for their country.
Thus, it has been widely understood that nationalism has been the main force/factor that led to the strengthening of the nation-states or national-states (C.f., Prakash Chandra, P.48). Later, most of the nation-states were merged or integrated with the broad political framework known as the "nation". And the people of the nation-state have the nationality status of the political framework of the same nation or the country within a fixed geographical boundary. In fact, every nation has its own independent political status.
And important theoretical explanation of nationalism is that national unification is the primary objective to form a strong independent nation of the former nation-states. And, the principle of nationality was established by all the nation-states and the people of the nation were legally recognized as nationalists of the nation. It may, however, be pointed out that it is difficult to define the nationalism as it has a long history and phases of development in integrating with the main political framework of the nation. What is emphasised here is that the "people of the nation" are nationalists and only those who are recognised by the political authority or the Government of the nation are known as the people of the nation those who are recognised by the government.
Today, a nation has culturally different groups or different ethnic groups within the same nation. Thus, it is difficult to conclude that there is only one culturally homogenous group within a state of the nation or within the same nation. Still, there are also different ethnic groups having different cultures, language, ancestors etc. within the same nation. This goes beyond the traditional definition or explanation of the nation-state and is based on the historical and empirical evidences. It is however, observed that the people share the common languages of the states or the nation states. Thus, the definition of the nation-state or nationalism is subject to reinterpretation to cover different groups or large groups of people within the nation-state or the nation. And, it is also difficult to give a common scientific definition of nationalism. However, it is generally agreed that "nationalism" implies the patriotic feelings or the aspiration for the people within the same nation or for the same nation. And, the people have the solidarity of the same nation, common memories, common history, common aspiration of national integration   that supports secularism and various aspects of development for all the people of the country. What is worse is that sometimes, nationalism has the characteristic features of competition. Thus, there is the need for becoming a strong nation. Thus, a study has further revealed that "while roots of nationalism go far into the past, modern nationalism is a development of the past three centuries and is associated with the strongest nucleus about which men cluster (Chandra,P., Internationalism Politics, P.49). Thus, in the past the nation-states were integrated and they formed the relatively large or larger nation. This form of nationalism is generally known as "liberal nationalism".
There were many flexibilies in such type of nationalism because the main nation accommodated small nation-states within the large former nation (i.e. the main nation). Then, the nationalism continued to strengthen in the form of a large nation comprising a number of nation states. These liberal nations are also very cooperative with other nations in terms of international relationship. Thus, the interest of the people of the nation is also protected in various fields. It is also found that modern nationalism which is also the outcome of the combination of various nation-states originated in the 17th and 18th century in north-western European Countries, American settlements (Ibid.p.49) etc. It also emerged in other parts of the world. In fact, there has been the growth of modern nationalism since the 19th century, and the emergence of modern nationalism is also generally known as the emergence of liberal nationalism. Thus, the primary objectives of the modern nationalism or the growth of modern nations is the unification or integration of several nation-states from the 17th to the 19th century. For example, Germany, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Ireland etc. may be mentioned (Ibid., p. 49).
 It is found that liberal nationalism gained momentum at the time of consolidation of nation-states and the 19th century was the great age of nationalism both in theory and practice (Ibid.,p.49). Today, there is now limited scope of every nation for extending the system of liberal nationalism as all nations now seek to strengthen their own nationalism and nations.
And, nationalism has now become the basic principle of all nations.

The writer was formerly Head and Associate Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, Imphal College, Imphal . And he is currently columnist and author of various books of economics. The views expressed in the article are entirely the responsibility of the writer.