imagined community’

People perceive that all humans are part of different nations, but to what level are nations identifiable?
This question has been the centre of many philosophers’ theories and research. Benedict Anderson came up with a theory that nation is socially constructed and ultimately imagined by people that perceive themselves as being part of a group. This group is one that is thought to share beliefs and similar lifestyles. Anderson also suggested that ‘nationalism’ is a product of modern days. According to his theories, nationalism is a consequence of industrialisation. Because of the reduction of privileged access to specific information, this was brought around by mass literacy.
Another member of the ‘modernist’ school of nationalism is Eric Hobsbwam, who shows nation is product of nationalism instead of the common myth that it is the other way around. He puts forward the fact that most traditions and ‘nationalisms’ have been invented in the three centuries rather than being ancient. They are invented to cope with the fragmented present. They were invented to generate a feeling of belongingness, by relating to past-heroism and therefore by inducing a feeling of pride to belong to a certain group. He argues that these traditions are induced by the disciplinary institutions, such as, schools, the government and the army.
This ideology goes against those proposed by ‘the Primordial’ school. Who believed that nations and nationalism have excited since early human history.
The relevance of national identity is subjective as is seems to be based in inaccurate stereotypes that don’t relate to reality. A perfect example of this is how American society is now perceived to be extremely patriotic. In my opinion, this is a stereotypical image that has been induced to European society through the media.
Globalisation will increase the feeling of national identity, because people will need to feel like they relate to a smaller group as the ‘area they are allowed to live in’ increases. Most people are scared of this effect but, personally I feel this is a good thing as it will increase cultural exchange and if people don’t take the exchange too far and don’t start being too extreme about it, then it will lead to a more cultured society overall.
In my opinion the relevance of national identity is overrated. I believe it is important to relate to a certain group and to feel like you belong to a set of people with similar ways of thinking. But I don’t think that it is necessary for you to find that group within your nation. Most people do, but that could be related to their physical situation, and to the people they are physically able to meet. As a student with some relevant international experience, I feel I can relate to other peoples’ problems and concerns despite of their cultural background.
Communities are a product of imagination as is the sense of nationality; I feel it shouldn’t have the relevance it does in modern world. But on the other hand I think it is important for people to have traditions, (even if they are fictional) so that cultural and intellectual exchange is as great as it can be.

posted by filipa