Debate on Nationalism – Essay for UPSC Preparation

The rise of nationalism in India can by and large be credited to the freedom struggle of our country against British colonialism and their after effects on our people. We can confidently say that the seeds of nationalism were sown in people from all walks of life through the freedom struggle movement.

Though people of our country vary extremely and diversely in culture, traditions and religious beliefs, the one thing that binds them all in one mould is nationalism. It is simply said, the love, respect and patriotism for our motherland. How far we are able to testify ourselves on grounds of nationalism with changing times is a point of debate for the citizens of our country.

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Effects of Globalisation

Nationalism is a feeling of seeing our country above the rest of the countries in the world. Globalisation is to welcome participation under mutual concerns with other countries and nations of the world. It is simply the taking out of barriers or hindrances, this allowing free flow of trade and commerce activities, talks, communications, discussions and cultural exchange programs between different nations of the world.

If we were to see nationalism from a stand alone point of view the general opinion of the masses is that, nationalism starts diminishing under normal functioning. However, when you place the concept of nationalism in a global perspective a fresh wave sets in.

Nationalism then gets a broader and better meaning among the masses in a global concept. Thus we can say that globalisation has helped nations to revive the feeling of nationalism amongst its countrymen.

Global Capitalism

When trade and commerce operations got a non-interference protocol from the government, the economic spheres saw huge bounds and leaps. Capitalism are bound by the laws of the land that allow their smooth operation.

This becomes capitalism within the structure of the nation and simply does not garner much nationalism, when the same concept is applied at a global level keeping the global economy in perspective, globalisation and capitalism get interlinked to nationalism.

Outsourcing jobs to other countries increasing production by buying technology from other countries is possible with global capitalism. Whether this feeling masks the idea of nationalism or not is debatable.

The advantages of high production rates and global way of handling trade and commerce operations gives a country’s nationalism or very good boost. When India opened its doors to global capital markets, it saw huge inflows of economical advantage, from all corners of the world where it carried out active trade.

Socialist Internationalism

This concept is a little away from capitalist views, though it has a global approach. India has always faced different kinds of nationalism activities in India. This is mainly due to different kinds of leaders from governments that sought with different thinking platforms to perform as a country. When we talk of socialism, the word democracy easily comes to the context.

But leveraging democracy on a global plate or giving it an international tag is something that our government recognised much later. Under the BJP led Modi government, our prime minister has visited many nations around the globe to bring in better economic prospects to our nation.

The concept of socialist internationalism is against the ‘left’ way of thinking. The ‘left’ always consider their local population above everything else and work in the horizons of a communist and capitalist nature. But with changing times, democracy reined a more powerful concept of sticking to global trade, inviting global manufactured goods, inflows from both our country and elsewhere.

Being a nation that is called the biggest democracy is one side of the coin and accepting views from the west and adhering to business operation out on the ‘left’ box of thinking has only surged improvement of nationalism in the country.

UN multilateralism

On a general note, multilateralism is like a part or a treaty among nations that have common interests. Multilateralism is like a membership card to international collaboration like minded countries coming together to create a powerful cluster with the aim to derive and exercise greater power is common scene on international platforms

When we talk about UN multilateralism the very functioning and operational structure of such a big organisation is multilateral by its very nature. In the UN disparities, the big players have an upper hand over the smaller powers and can vest / exercise more power and authority in this regard.

So, India is also part of the international play arena where it is considered a multilateral group among many other like minded nations. India is also group of many such similar alliances for effective multilateralism to create its own place for interests and policies and strengthen nationalism.

Territorial Conflicts

We can find in the pages of history that since times immemorial, India has been witness to outside attacks from invaders and crusaders. Be it the likes of Alexander or Mohammed Ghazni, they all attacked India because the spirit of nationalism was thriving high and as such it was a rich and prosperous nation then when Britishers first entered the scene of India through the East India Company, they understood what would work for India to make it their easy colony.

This divide and rule policy created rifts throughout the length and breadth of the country. The countrymen were severely paralysed. But the British used this policy mainly because that kind of a situation was already prevalent here.

The kings and the rulers of various states had no peace for harmony with the neighbouring states, so they were always in war with each other. If we compare this to the present scenario, we find political parties struggling and fighting with each other, not with an intention to work for and strengthen nationalism of the country.

They fight and argue for their own personal gains and reasons, hence nationalism takes a beating or gets severely crippled. To exploit the country for one’s personal reasons literally curbs the backbone of a country’s operating machinery and gives rise to many wanted cooperation issues. A leader is supposed to carry his nationalism in his hands. If a certain political party is not too strong, it will easily bring down the nationalism of the country.

To uphold nationalism of India, we must try our bit and help countrymen understand the need and necessity of having hardcore nationalism towards India.

In short, we can definitely say that coping with new problems that arise out of territorial conflicts affect nationalism to a greater extent than anything else. This also poses a major challenge for the country as a whole.

Sub-Nationalism

To understand the concept of sub nationalism we have to first understand regionalism. In our country, since many decades, it is so likely that the central government is more popular in the north than in the south. The southern states, though connected in every aspect with central legislature, remains a different entity when it comes to direct politics.

That is exactly where nationalism plays a different role. Regionalism is more prominent in the southern states as compared to a higher grade of nationalism in India. Territorial influences create more regional affinity in the south and citizens in this part live with a small kind of isolation with the rest of the country.

It is here that the concept of ‘sub nationalism’ sets in. People are more averse to giving undue importance to regional politics than setting higher standards of national interest. It is like people locking themselves in their own homes and thinking of an interest only in their own homes rather than thinking about the whole society that they are a part of. Sub nationalism in a way masks the beauty of nationalism and paves way for regionalism and love for one’s own territorial limits.

Economy and Nationalism

Of late, the IMF and World Bank have abridged space for macro economic policy making by nation states. This in a great way is very beneficial to the economic progress for a country like India. If we look at the recent demonetization activity, black money from various holes and dark corners of the country were brought to light and justice was served outright. Nationalism thrives under such schemes that are made in the benefit of the whole country.

There is fear that with the setting of the new world economic order India might have to shut down its large base of small scale industries permanently. Once upon a time, the nationalism of our country stood on the progress of these industries. Later macro economic policies replaced these age old economic structure to develop a new and strengthened national order.

Multinational companies in India

The left groups in India are against the automation industry or the setting up of foreign companies on our shores. MNC’s are not welcome on our land in their world. But foreign direct investment has only been able to create more jobs and employment opportunities in our country.

At the lowest order in society, it may not deliver satisfactory results for example, if we see the online shopping giant Amazon which is doing big business in our country, at every level it has been able to offer jobs to various strata of people. On the flip side, small shopkeepers are facing a threat of closing down shops with the increasing numbers of online shopping.

Nationalism on the whole is that innate feeling and respect that garners an identity creation and construction which goes synonymous with one’s nation. We have to believe in our leaders who are striving to gives us a better future so that the country as a whole prospers and nationalism shines at a better rate than ever.

Conclusion

Incidents like terrorism and cross border infiltration tend to dent the image of nationalism and make our homes a living hell. Today NRIS resent coming back to their own country, it is not that they lack patriotism for their country, but they just fear for their own lives.

Nationalism should be developed at a higher rate to establish a great love and unity for the country. Nationalist views are the best views and serve the society in the most advantageous way in creating a welfare state.