Nationalism and Globalization: East and West

Preface

Understanding Nationalism and Globalization ix Preface After the end of the Cold War, nationalism re-emerged as a challenge to world order. Many countries have disintegrated as a result of ethnic and religious conflicts, which have been interpreted as a clash of different types of nationalism. The former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia are two examples. The situation in the Balkans is often cited as an example of national disintegration. Some have cited nationalism and religion as two important factors that have disrupted the Balkans, but others have attributed it to globalization as the major culprit. What have been the factors contributing to conflict and national disunity? Is the situation in the Balkans unique? Why do some countries remain intact? Is it only a matter of time before other multi-ethnic countries will disintegrate? It was the challenge of nationalism and globalization that led to the undertaking of this project. Apparently, the roles that these two forces play an d th e im pact of globalization on th e cou n tries differ. A comparative study was initiated to find the answers to questions raised. This was not an easy task but we felt that the project was a worthwhile one. The first hurdle was the definition of the terms themselves. There is no general agreement on the definitions of both nationalism and globalization as they are interpreted in accordance with the concept and theory used by each individual scholar. However, if there is no basic agreement on the key terms and concepts, a comparative study or any ix m n x Preface generalizations will not be possible. For this project, it was suggested that the paper-writers adopt working definitions of the key words, or at least, to use some of the definitions in their study. The definitions have been taken from well-known writers but their selection reflects my understanding and perhaps bias on the subject matter. For instance, I view nationalism as a concept which is related to nation or nationhood, but I do not argue which one comes first. I also assume that nationalism is related to the concept of ethnie or ethnicity, but they are not identical. They are also different from the concepts of race, state, citizen or citizenship. Key Term s Used Below are the suggested definitions of the key terms used in the project: • Ethnie or ethnic group is linked to assumed common descendant. Max Weber and many sociologists use it to refer to a group of people who share a common ancestry — real or imagined — and a common culture. However, the second component should be considered as secondary, because not all ethnic groups share an identical culture. I would like to suggest that ethnie is used primarily for a group of people who believe that they share a common ancestry; • Nation is a socio-cultural and political concept. I would like to suggest that Rupert Emerson’s definition of nation be adopted. It is defined in terms of a sense of belonging to a community of people who share the same heritage and would like to share the same future. It commands the “supreme loyalty” of the people who are prepared to die for it. A common language is an important component of a nation. • There are at least two kinds of nation: ethnic-nation and social nation. The former is a nation based on one ethnic group; the latter is a nation based on multi-ethnic groups. • Nationalism is hence defined as an expression of “national” feelings. It often takes the form of a movement to glorify the “nation” which is either in existence or in the making. • Race is used to refer to physical characteristics, for instance, physical features and skin colour. • State is a political entity where there are three major components — a sovereign government, a people, and a territory. • Citizen or citizenship is linked to a state. It is a political and legal concept rather than a socio-cultural one. Therefore, citizenship should be differentiated from nationhood. Ideally, citizenship should Understanding Nationalism and Globalization xi also be differentiated from nationality, but many continue to use them interchangeably as if the citizen is a member of a nation. • Globalization is used to mean a process of globalizing but it is used here to refer to the following: “the intensification of worldwide relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events...