Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 “Yugoslav” Nationalism at the End of the Twentieth Century
- 2 Nation-Building and Nation-Destroying: The Challenge of Globalization in Indonesia
- 3 Globalization and Singapore's Search for Nationhood
- 4 Globalization and Nationalism in the United States: A Historical Perspective
- 5 Globalization and the Challenges to Malay Nationalism as the Essence of Malaysian Nationalism
- 6 Nationalism and Globalization in Australia
- 7 Nation, Nationalism and Globalization in France
- 8 National Identity and Adapting to Integration: Nationalism and Globalization in Japan
- 9 Globalization, Nationalism, and the Modernization of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
- 10 Nationalities, Nationalism, and Globalization: The Case of China
- 11 Grasping the Nettle: Indian Nationalism and Globalization
- 12 Nationalism and Globalization in the Russian Federation at the Millennium
- 13 Conclusion
- Index
13 - Conclusion
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 October 2015
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 “Yugoslav” Nationalism at the End of the Twentieth Century
- 2 Nation-Building and Nation-Destroying: The Challenge of Globalization in Indonesia
- 3 Globalization and Singapore's Search for Nationhood
- 4 Globalization and Nationalism in the United States: A Historical Perspective
- 5 Globalization and the Challenges to Malay Nationalism as the Essence of Malaysian Nationalism
- 6 Nationalism and Globalization in Australia
- 7 Nation, Nationalism and Globalization in France
- 8 National Identity and Adapting to Integration: Nationalism and Globalization in Japan
- 9 Globalization, Nationalism, and the Modernization of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
- 10 Nationalities, Nationalism, and Globalization: The Case of China
- 11 Grasping the Nettle: Indian Nationalism and Globalization
- 12 Nationalism and Globalization in the Russian Federation at the Millennium
- 13 Conclusion
- Index
Summary
In this concluding chapter, I would like to highlight some interesting points mentioned in the preceding chapters and occasionally offer my own interpretation. I will also draw some brief comparisons between the countries in order to show similarities and differences in the process of nationalism and globalization.
As I see it, “nation/nation state” is the product of modern history. In the past, there was a concept of “dynasty” or kingdom rather than the “nation/nation state”. It is also true that “ethnic group” emerged long before “nation”, if one defines “ethnic group” in terms of common ancestry. Nevertheless, it seems that “ethnic group” can also develop into a nation, the so-called “ethno-nation” or “ethnic-nation”. Japan is one example. Nevertheless, the majority of nations in the world are multiethnic nations, also known as “social nations”.
Whether it is an ethnic nation or a social nation, there are similarities in terms of their components. A common history, a common heritage (including a common language) and common values often constitute the basis of national belonging. The political élite promoted this sense of national belonging, which is often called nationalism. It was the élite who defined nation and nationalism. Some writers, for instance, Ernest Gellner, even maintain that nationalism is a creation of the élite in order to achieve certain political goals. It is a political construct. To a large degree, this is certainly true but one should not ignore the “foundations” (components) of a “nation” that other writers mention. Without these “foundations” it is hard to recognize that there is indeed a “creature” called “nation”.
The twelve countries under study, with the possible exception of Japan, are “nations” at different stages of development. Some have just completed state building, while others have been “nations” for different lengths of time, but their components continue to develop. Even the United Kingdom, which is considered to be one of the first modern nations, is actually a “multinational state” rather than a “nation state”. Because of the difficulty in building a nation with a common culture, common language, and common heritage, many countries have abandoned nation-building efforts and concentrate instead on citizenship. They have abandoned the building of a national culture or a national identity but accept multiple cultures and multiple identities. Citizenship, it would seem, can be developed into nationhood, but citizenship is not identical with nationhood.
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- Information
- Nationalism and GlobalizationEast and West, pp. 344 - 355Publisher: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak InstitutePrint publication year: 2000