How important was nationalism as a cause of the collapse of communism Essay

How important was soilalism as a cause of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe - Essay ExampleIn this paper, the precondition nationalism is used in the meaning of political doctrine and ideology which is justified by a goal to make a certain nation succeed in pursuing its interests. In this context, a nation is understood as a political, ethnic, territorial, cultural, or religious root united by a common economy, mass culture, common legal rights and duties, and a belief system that emphasizes either shared history and genealogy or other common myths distinguishing this group from others (Smith, 1991 14). Molchanov (2000 264) observes that nationalism today is a product of modernization as well as mass education. It is also a product of the elects witting manipulation of commonwealths masses. Nationalism is based on national feeling, i.e. a feeling of belonging to a community which is culturally distinct and goes beyond peoples circles of important others, covers the bar riers of statuses and classes, and on a legitimate basis commands its members loyalty. In this respect, a national community is perceived as an imagined community with its contours macrocosm reconstructed during the fulfill of national mobilization (Molchanov, 2000 263). As for the national elite, it serves a mobilizing agent in this process. Its parochial interests get the status of national interests and become value for which all compatriots fight. Typically, the elite is made up of well-educated classes from the indigenous nationality and local administrators who have become dissatisfied with current social standing (Molchanov, 2000 264). ... It is also a product of the elites conscious manipulation of countrys masses. Nationalism is based on national feeling, i.e. a feeling of belonging to a community which is culturally distinct and goes beyond peoples circles of important others, covers the barriers of statuses and classes, and on a legitimate basis commands its members loy alty. In this respect, a national community is perceived as an imagined community with its contours being reconstructed during the process of national mobilization (Molchanov, 2000 263). As for the national elite, it serves a mobilizing agent in this process. Its parochial interests get the status of national interests and become values for which all compatriots fight. Typically, the elite is made up of well-educated classes from the indigenous nationality and local administrators who have become dissatisfied with current social standing (Molchanov, 2000 264). Exploring the political schedule of contemporary nationalism, one may state that it necessarily develops in its connection to state (Tibor, 2010 36). The relationship between nationalism and the state is discussed in two study modes. The first one describes the situation when the representatives of the indigenous nationality already have say-so over the state. They make efforts to unite people and create their specific nati on. It is characterized by a focus on cultural and linguistic homogenization, consolidation of political connections, and creating the feeling of solidarity. The activity of the government results in education standardization and decrease of the social distance which may be found between the society layers (Gellner, 1998). The second mode of nationalism development within the state is when the elites do not possess control over