Unit 1 SBQ SS20-1

By:Colleen Pearce

Patriotism has been a lasting legacy in America since the American

Revolution, the pride and dedication to ones country is a common trait in
an American citizen. The text and image provided in source one supports
nationalism. The Pledge of Allegiance is pumping up the United States in
the text when it says that there will be ..liberty and justice for all.. The
students in the image are being taught this from a young age and display
their patriotism by placing a hand over their heart. This symbolizes that
their home in the US will always be a part of them. State nationalism is
being displayed here with common value of maintaining indivisible as well
as Liberal nationalism which can be seen through all the kids having to say
the pledge. No one is able to be different in this type of society. Common
identities based off the melting pot ideology is very common in America but
creates issues when its citizens want to be unique and have various
ethnic backgrounds which may disagree with the views of American
society. The alternative idea would be that you need this kind of structure
and rigidness to run a successful country. Without them to much variation
would cause upset. Hobbes beliefs fit into this, you cant have freedom and
structure, only structure.

Making a nation can come from social constructivism or can occur

because we naturally want it which is primordial. The text is against
nationalism and describes it as pointless due to the differences in a shared
culture. Cultural dissimilarity in the text is said to be as equal in one nation
as between two nations. The title of the book this text is taken from, states
very clearly the position of the speaker as well as the type of nationalism
displayed, Anarchism Nationalism. The source states that although the
usual foundations for a national people are language and a collective
culture, people are lacking the shared values and beliefs that would be
recognized throughout the nation as the definite principles. Commonalities
can be formed but there is no such thing as a nation or the connection
between people that would create a nation. This can create complexities
when there needs to be a decisions made in the government or as a whole
group. Disagreements can come up that would cause conflicts. The
opposed view to this topic would be that there is a sense of a nation and
that people with similar languages and cultures do come together and find
the emotional connection and belonging.

Heritages are a large part of people, it gives a sense of acceptance

and an immediate connection to others. This quote embraces nationalism
and describes how your ethnic background and where you are from
develops you as a person from when you were a little toddler to a full
grown adult. The traditions, stories and overall culture contributes to a
sense of nationalism. This can create controversies and issues when
people of this nature are asked to stand for one loyalty that has conflicting
views to their beliefs. It can bring up conflict on a small scale between
friends or family or on a large scale when its involving a country going to
war and its citizens are refusing to fight. What might be considered a duty
or privilege to one person is a burden to another. A differing opinion would
be that the heritages of people doesnt matter as much, that instead its
what the individual chooses to do with their life that defines who they are
and shapes their feelings and ideas of nationalism.

All the sources have varying opinions on what contributes to

nationalism/nation and how that is viewed from person to person. The
initial source touches on the idea of patriotism and the idea that everyone
must believe and value that same things. There must be structure and a
shared sense of duty to the citizens of the country regardless of what you
may personally believe. All the kids having to recite The Pledge of
Allegiance is an example of this. This structure allows for a working nation
state. Source two explains that although the shared culture and language
seemingly help to create a nation, there isnt actually a proper national
people. The idea of a nation is not legitimate and that the population of a
country is very culturally diverse. The text points this out in the third
sentence, we often find as much cultural variation across populations
as between them.. In the final source the speaker talks about her diaspora
nationalism and that it is huge part of who she is. Her Quebec heritage
helps her to identify who she is and what she believes in. The heritage of
an individual is extremely important to who you are and is something to be
proud of. It connects you directly to a sense of ethnic nationalism and a
sense of belonging. Dion describes her feelings toward her roots perfectly,
my origins, and its the most important thing to me..