Students must practice these AP Inter 1st Year Civics Important Questions 3rd Lesson Nationalism to boost their exam preparation.
AP Inter 1st Year Civics Important Questions 3rd Lesson Nationalism
Long Answer Questions
Question 1.
Define Nationality. Explain the essential elements of Nationality. [May. 2022; Sep. 2021; Mar. 2020. ’19,’18,’17,’16; May. ‘17,16; Mar. ’17&’15 -A.P : Mar. ’15-T.S]
Answer:
Meaning: The term ‘Nation’ is derived from the Latin Word ‘Natio’ which means ‘born’. It gives a ‘racial’ meaning. In this sence, nation means people joining together in a society by the ties of blood – relationship.
Definitions:
- Lord Bryce defines “Nation is a nationality which has organised itself into a political body independent of desiring to be independent.”
- J.W.Gamer defines “Nation is a culturally homogenous social group which is at once conscious and tenacious of its unity of psychic life and expression.”
Essential elements of Nationality: The essential elements of nationality may be explained as follows.
1. Purity of Race:
Racial purity helps in the formation and strengthening of the idea of nationality. Race is a physical phenomenon. It depends on certain distinctions of skull, stature, hair, complexion, etc. These distinctions serve as a cementing bond among the members of a group.
2. Common Language:
Language is the medium of communication and deliberations among the people. People having a common language can very easily form into a single nation. Common language embodies common literature. It brings about persons like-mindedness nearer. This leads to a sort of psychological unity among the people. However, some said that language is important but not crucial.
3. Common Religion:
In the past, religion played an important role in the consolidation of the nation. Common religion prompted and promoted strong bonds of unity. It helped in the formation of nationality through the common ideas and ideals of the people.
Religion as a bond of national unity has, however, lost its significance to some extent in the present age of scientific outlook. India is said to be an excellent example of a strong nation developing from the people having a variety of religious faiths like Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, etc.
4. Geographical Unity:
Geographical unity is considered to be very essential for the formation of nationalities and nations. It is inherent in nature. It attempts to design a separate entity to ascertain the unity of the country. Moreover, such unity affords an opportunity to the people to live together under similar climatic conditions.
5. Common History:
Common history is considered as an important element of Nationality. It invokes an inspiration among the people and binds them together. Sometimes historical incidents may give a chance to the people to develop national sentiments. For instance, Indians have learnt the lessons of nationalism from the British legacy.
6. Common Culture:
Culture in its broad sense means a way of life. It is reflected through certain common elements like dress, customs, conventions, food habits, religious beliefs, ethical values, etc. They easily develop into a single nation. These elements bind the people together and held them together.
7. Common Political Aspirations:
People living together in a territory will be imbibed with common political and economic aspirations. These in turn play a dominant role in the emergence of a nation. If there is a sufficient number of people having capacity of maintaining a separate state, they might wish for an independent political organisation. Such a union, again, may tend to mould heterogeneous elements into a common nationality.
Question 2.
Discuss the relation between Nation and Nationalism.
Answer:
The relation between Nation and Nationalism may be explained as follows:
The concepts of Nation and Nationality laid formidable foundations to several modern political systems. These concepts promoted the bonds of unity, fraternity and integrity among the people of a particular country. Nationality and nationalism profoundly influenced the people of a nation in building their own states and moulding their economic prosperity. They have, in fact, worked as synthetic ideas tempered with cosmetic feelings in many modern states. Love for the family and piety for the nation, fellow feeling and so on are the offshoots of these concepts. The existence of the modern states is, by and large, rooted in these zealous concepts.
The two concepts have similarity in their origin. Both the words were derived from a Latin word ’Natio’ which means birth or descent. Some political writers like Lord Bryce and Hayes described that people will form into a nation when they achieve political independence. Such a nation originates when people had nationalistic sentiments. Both the concepts of nationality arise due to the organisation of people into a homogenous body on the basis of common understanding.
A state emerges due to the influence of nationality and nation. At a time when the people in.Europe were under despotic rule, the feelings of nationality strongly influenced them and made them finally come out of the clutches of the emperors and declare independence. The concepts of the nation and nationality transformed the people into nation-states. Again these ideas imbibed the people with love and respect for their language, religion and customs. They also made the people to preserve and maintain their culture. Hence, these great ideals strengthened understanding and unity among the people.
Question 3.
Write a short note on demand for National Self-Determination.
Answer:
Demands for National Self-Determination have been raised in different parts of the world. Let us look at one such case. Basque is a hilly and prosperous region in Spain. This region is recognised by the Spanish government as an autonomous’ region within the Spanish federation. But the leaders of Basque Nationalist Movement are not satisfied with this autonomy. They want this region to become a separate country.
Many States have people belonging to many ethnic and cultural communities. These communities often felt disadvantageous. Hence, the issue of accommodating minorities as equal citizens remained a challenging task. The only positive aspect of these developments was that the State granted political recognition to the various cultural groups which in turn claimed the opportunity to govern them and determine their own future. The right to national self-determination has also asserted the national liberation movements in Asia and Africa when they were struggling against colonial rule. Nationalist movements maintained that political independence would ensure dignity and recognition to the colonised people. They also helped the people by protecting their collective interests. Many nationalist movements were inspired by the goal of bringing justice and prosperity to the nation.
However, it proved almost impossible to ensure that each cultural group, which claimed to be a distinct nation, could acheive political independence and statehood. As a result, migration of people, border wars and violence have continued to plague many countries in the region. Thus we have the paradoxical situation of nation-states which themselves had achieved independence through struggle now acting against minorities within their own territories which claim the right to national self-determination.
Question 4.
Write a short note on ‘whether India is a Nation’.
Answer:
There are strong reasons to justify that India is a nation. They may be explained as follows.
i) Indians have a common history and culture. They have demonstrated their distinct qualities of national integration on many occasions. During India’s aggression by China and Pakistan, the Indians extended unequivocal support to the government.
ii) Indians have expressed their dedication to make unparallel and supreme sacrifices for the accomplishment of independence. They fought unitedly against the foreign yoke under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Those Indians who suffered under the oppressive British rule cemented the psychological feelings of the Indian masses. Their efforts helped to achieve freedom ultimately.
iii) Since times immemorial India is known for its unity in diversity although the people belong to different regions or provinces. They realised the basic fact that they are all first and foremost Indians. Then only, they owe indebtedness to their respective religions and languages.
iv) Indians have stood together as a monolith when the country was caught in the crisis caused by the natural calamities or political bickerings.
v) Indians believe that “Mother and Motherland are supreme than heaven.” (Janani Janma Bhumistcha Swargadapi Gareeyasi). The history of India inspires its people and enthuses them. Some common elements concerning national anthem, national heritage, culture, constitution and the government inspire the nationalist feelings and inculcate national integration among the people.
In this connection, it must be pointed out that the outbreak of terrorism, religious fanaticism and senseless casteism in many parts of the country unfortunately threatened the unity and integrity of our country in the recent past.
vi) The governments at the centre as also the state governments have been making all efforts for curbing these parochial, narrow and conservative views in order to preserve the integrity of the nation. Whatever may be the pros and cons of India as a nation, it must be fairly said that the commonalities such as constitution, festivals, national celebrations and common goals of the Indians rejuvenate the rich Indian culture and project the Indians as a mighty nation before the world. Therefore, India is considered as a nation.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Briefly explain the essential elements of Nationality.
Answer:
1. Purity of Race:
Racial purity helps in the formation and stengthening of the idea of nationality.
2. Common Language:
People having common language can easily form into a single nation. Common language promotes common literature, which brings about persons like-mindedness nearer.
3. Common Religion: Religion is a bond of national unity. In the past, religion played an important role in the consolidation of the nation.
4. Geographical Unity: Geographical unity is considered to be very essential for the formation of nationalities and nations.
5. Common History: Common history is considered as an important element of Nationality. It invokes an inspiration among the people and binds them together.
6. Common Culture: Culture in its broad sense means a way of life. It is reflected through certain common elements like dress, customs, conventions, food habits, religious beliefs, ethical values, etc. They easily develop into a single nation.
7. Common Political Aspirations: People living together in a territory will be imbibed with common political aspirations. These in turn play a dominant role in the emergence of a nation.
Question 2.
In what way do Nation and State differ from each other?
Answer:
The differences between Nation and State can be explained as mentioned here.
Nation
- Nation is an independent political community or an integral part of a multi-national state.
- Nation precedes the state.
- Nation is the community of people who exist together for a common goal and who were united by psychological feeling of oneness.
- Nation is historical and cultural in its evolution.
- Nation is the culmination of a long co-existence of the people.
State
- State may consist of the people of the same nation or many nations.
- State follows the nation. The final form of a nation is the accomplishment of statehood.
- State is a people organised by law in a definite territory.
- State is a political and legal structure.
- State need not be evolutionary in nature. It may come into existence either by unification of the smaller independent political communities or by partition.
Question 3.
Describe the various phases of Nationalism. [Mar. 2020; May. 2016]
Answer:
According to Prof. Synder, there are four phases of Nationalism. They are:
1. Integrative Nationalism (1815-71): During this period, nationalism was a unifying force and found solid expression in the unification of Italy and Germany.
2. Disruptive Nationalism (1871-90): During this period, subject nationalities of Austria – Hungary and other multi-national states clamoured for independence.
3. Aggressive Nationalism (1890-1945): During this period, nationalism became virtually identical with aggressive imperialism. This led to the clash of opposing national interests in the form of two World Wars.
4. Contemporary Nationalism : During the early years of the contemporary period, political nationalism manifested in the form of revolts against European masters. Communism in its Stalin – style took on the trappings of Nationalism in the Soviet Union. Since then nationalism has assumed particularly virulent forms. It has shaped the international politics of the Western forms.
Question 4.
Describe the relative importance of Nation and Nationality.
Answer:
The concepts of Nation and Nationality laid formidable foundations to several modern political systems. These concepts promoted the bonds of unity, fraternity and integrity among the people of a particular country. Nationality and nationalism profoundly influenced the people of a nation in building their own states and moulding their economic prosperity. They have, in fact, worked as synthetic ideas tempered with cosmetic feelings in many modern states. Love for the family and piety for the nation, fellow feeling and so on are the offshoots of these concepts.
The two concepts have similarity in their origin. Both the words were derived from a Latin word ‘Natio’ which means birth or descent. Some political writers like Lord Bryce and Hayes described that people will form into a nation when they achieve political independence. Such a nation originates when people had nationalistic sentiments. Both the concepts of nationality arise due to the organisation of people into a homogenous body on the basis of common understanding.
Question 5.
What are the differences between Nation and Nationality? [Mar. ’19,’18; Mar. ’15-T.S]
Answer:
The differences between Nation and Nationality may be explained as follows:
Nation
- Nation is a political concept.
- Nation is always a politically organised state.
- Nation is always independent.
- There can’t be a nation without nationality.
- People who form into a nation should obey the laws of the state.
Nationality
- Nationality is a psychological feeling.
- Nationality is always an unorganised and flexible feeling.
- Nationality is not independent.
- There can be nationality without a nation.
- Until the people of a nationality form into a nation, there can’t be constitutional laws. But they oblige certain common rules in their best interests.
Question 6.
Write a short note on National Self-Determination.
Answer:
Nationalism today became a world wide phenomenon. This principle implies that every nation whould be organised as an independent political entity. It raises the question whether every nationality has the right to be a self-governing or sovereign state.
Nations, unlike other social groups, seek the right to govern themselves and determine their future development. They seek, in other words, the right to self – determination. In order to achieve this goal, a nation seeks recognition and acceptance by the international community of its status as a distinct political entity or state.
Question 7.
Is India a Nation state ? Explain. [May. 2022; Sep. 2021; May ’17; Mar. ’17; Mar. ’16:’15 – A.P.]
Answer:
There are strong reasons to justify that India is a nation state. Those are:
- Indians have a common history and culture. They have demonstrated their distinct qualities of national integration on many occasions.
- Indians have expressed their patriatic feeling to make unparallel and supreme sacrifices for the accomplishment of independence.
- India is known for its unity in diversity. Even though the Indian people belong to different regions and religions, they realise the basic fact that they are all first and foremost Indians.
- Indians have stood together as a monolith when the country was caught in the crisis caused by the natural calamities or political disturbances.
- Indians believe that ‘mother and motherland are supreme than heaven’. The history of India inspires its people and enthuses them.
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
What is meant by Nationality?
Answer:
Nationality is a community of persons having the common bonds of race, religion, language, traditions and history. Nationality denotes a particular kind of feelings and sentiments that binds the people together. It differentiates such people from those of other nationalities.
Question 2.
Define Nation.
Answer:
- Barker defines “Nation is a body of persons inhabiting a definite territory and united together by the primary fact of living together on a common land.”
- Lord Bryce defines “Nation is a nationality which has organised itself into a political body independent or desiring to be independent.”
Question 3.
Write any two differences between Nation and State.
Answer:
- Nation is an independent political community or an integral part of a multi-nation state. Whereas State may consist of the people of the same nation or many nations.
- Nation precedes the State, whereas State follows the Nation. The fined form of a Nation is the accomplishment of statehood.
Question 4.
Mention any two connotations of Nationality.
Answer:
- Nationality refers to the legal status of citizens in a particular state. Here it refers to one’s status as a citizen of the state which he belongs to.
- Nationality means a group of persons having their distinct identity within a particular nation.
Question 5.
Mention any two essential elements of Nationality.
Answer:
- Common race: Race is a physical phenomenon. It depends on certain distinctions of skull, stature, hair, complexion, etc. These distinctions serve as a cementing bond among the members of a group.
- Common language: Language is the medium of communication and deliberations among the people. People having common language can very easily form into a single nation.
Question 6.
What is the importance of Nationalism?
Answer:
Nationalism has emerged as the most inevitable political creed which has helped to shape the history. Nationalism not only inspired but also created deep hatredness among the people. It helped in liberalising the people from oppressive rule.
Question 7.
Write any two merits of Nationalism.
Answer:
- Nationalism removes the mutual differences, personal animosities and internal disturbances. It promotes unity, integrity and solidarity among the people of a nation.
- Nationalism makes the people obey the government.
Question 8.
Mention any two demerits of Nationalism.
Answer:
- Nationalism makes the people extremely proud, jealous and arrogant as was clear from the history of Germany.
- It provokes the people to dominate the people of neighbouring States.