NATIONALISM AND ETHNICITY

1 The difference between nationalism and ethnicity is simple if we stick to the level of definitions. A nationalist
ideology may be defined as an ethnic ideology which demands the right to its own state on behalf of the ethnic group.
In practice, the distinction can be much more complicated.
5 First, groups or categories of persons may be located analytically in a grey zone between nationhood and ethnic
identity. It is simply not true that ethnic groups have a shared will. If some of their members wish for independence,
while others are content to have linguistic and other rights within an existing state, the category in question may
appear both as a nation and as an ethnic group, depending on who is speaking. A person may also switch
situationally between being a member of an ethnic minority and a member of a nation. An Argentinian migrant to
10France belongs to an ethnic minority while in France, but belongs to a nation the moment she returns to her
country of birth.
Second, nationalism may sometimes express an ideology which represents, and is supported by, a majority of ethnic
groups. This is clearly the case in Mauritius, where no ethnic group openly 15 wishes to make nation building an
ethnic project on its own behalf. Nationalist ideology in such countries may be seen as polyethnic or supra-ethnic in
15that it tries to reconcile ethnic differences, but not abolish them, within a shared framework of a nation.
Third, we should keep in mind that everyday language and mass media continuously mix up the concepts of nation
and ethnic group; when, for example, people speak of the 104 nations of the 20 former Soviet Union, they clearly
refer to ethnic groups, a few of which are nations in the sense that their leaders want to have states where they are
dominant.
20Nationalism and ethnicity are related phenomena, but there are many ethnic groups which are not nations, and
there may also be nations which are not ethnic groups that is, polyethnic nations or countries which are not
founded on an ethnic principle. Naturally, most of the worlds countries 25 are as a matter of fact polyethnic, but many
of them are dominated by one ethnic group: the French in France, the English in Great Britain and so on (see Grillo,
1980). The model of nationalism presented above, as well as models endorsed by nationalists rarely fits the
25territory. Notably, there is rarely, if ever, a perfect correspondence between a state and the `cultural group`. This
simple fact is the cause of what, in contemporary world is spoken of as minority issues. (Eriksen, T,H. Small Places,
Large Issues 281-282.)
I Which groups of words would you use with the following ones to form collocations: to reconcile (15), to
abolish (16), express (12), shared (5), mass (17), contemporary (28).
1.

differences/discrepancies/beliefs

2.

art/music/literature/history/society/thinker

3.

will/framework/value/ancestry/history/language/identity/characteristic/interest

4.

wish/attitude/interest/admiration/doubt/fear/regret/sadness/ideology/thank

5.

media/consumption/support/revolt/immigration/toruism/unemployment

6.

censorship/monarchy/tax/practice/right

II Use the following adverbs in the sentences below: analytically (4), situationally (8), clearly (13), openly (12),
continuously (17), naturally (23), notably (27), rarely (27).

1.

They started talking ..on topics he never thought he'd be able to bring up.

2.

She . left the house and lived in the library

3.

His other historical works also, his Universalgeschichte, display a very one-sided point of view.

4.

He studied many of these languages and comparatively.

5.

This man is ..a homophobe.

6.

His behavior this time was more appropriate.

7.

These doctrines of inertia follow .. from the geometrical analysis of Descartes.

8.

Average prices rise.. .

III Find synonyms for the following words: stick to, content, abolish, endorse, fit, mix up.
1.

Continue to do or use/ follow/ keep

2.

Fulfilled/ satisfied/ comfortable

3.

To put an end to/ to annul/ to cancel

4.

To back/ to support/ to advocate

5.

To do/ to serve/ to suit/ to correspond

6.

To confuse (up)/ to mistake

IV Use the following words in the sentences below: nation, nationality, nationalism, nationalist, nationalistic,
nationhood. ethnically, ethnic, ethnicity, migrant, migration, migrate, emigration, immigration, emigrate,
immigrate
1.

There were strong .. elements in his programme.

2.

It was a vain attempt to arouse . passions against foreigners.

3.

They have a strong sense of .

4.

The decline of is a force for peace.

5.

The fight against terrorism seemed to unite the . .

6.

The pupils are of mixed.

7.

This was an . homogenous community.

8.

There is a large community of Hungarians living in north Serbia.

9.

Marriages between spouses of different races and are more common than ever before .

11.

They entered the country as workers.

12.

These are birds that .. south in the winter.

13.

The decline of rural economy has caused urban ..

14.

The new laws restricting .into the USA have just been passed.

15.

They called for a halt of a recent wave of from Asia to America.

16.

My great-grandparents .. from Russia. They .. to the United States