Benedict Anderson once said, “No one can be a true nationalist who is incapable of feeling ashamed if his or her state or government commits crimes including those against their fellow citizens”.

In other words, it should be the definition of a true nationalist.

But in the past few decades, the whole world has been witnessing a rapid increase in different types of nationalist sentiments, which has resulted in an increasing number of people turning their backs on democracy.

It is important to understand that this rise in nationalism and decline in democracy is not just a coincidence. The two are closely linked to each other. The rise of nationalism has led to the weakening of democratic institutions.

Nationalism is a term that is often used interchangeably with patriotism. However, there are some differences between the two.

Nationalism

The term Nationalism is used to describe the belief that a country should be ruled by people of its own nationality. Nationalism can also be described as the feeling that it can involve a feeling of superiority over other nations only because of the importance of one's own nation.

Nationalism is an ideological movement that has its roots in the French Revolution. It was popularized by thinkers such as Johann Gottfried von Herder (1744–1803) and Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762–1814).

Between December 1807 and March 1808, Fichte gave a series of lectures on the "German nation," its culture and language, in which he envisioned how a special education system would help his country come out of the guilt of the defeat at the hands of France.

Patriotism

Patriot is an English word that arose in the 15th century as a shortened form of the Middle French "Patriote". Patriots in the original European sense referred to anyone who was a fellow countryman born in that country, regardless of social or economic status.

Patriotism is the love and deep attachment you feel towards your country. It might talk about their ethnic background, and cultural identity or briefly touch on different political influences that shape the individual's history.

In the influential essay, "Notes on Nationalism", George Orwell distinguishes patriotism and nationalism:

By 'patriotism' I mean devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force upon other people. Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally. Nationalism, on the other hand, is inseparable from the desire for power. The abiding purpose of every nationalist is to secure more power and more prestige, not for himself but for the nation or other unit in which he has chosen to sink his own individuality.

Inclusive nationalism: Its strengths & weaknesses

According to inclusive nationalism, the national identity of a country should include all its members. There may be some strengths and weaknesses in this idea.

The strength of inclusive nationalism is that it allows for the inclusion of minorities, which broadens the scope of what it means to be a member of society. It has the potential to create greater social cohesion between individuals or groups, reducing tension and conflict between them. On the other hand, inclusive nationalism cannot work in countries with diverse populations because there cannot be one group representing everyone in such an environment.

The Rise of Nationalism in India & Its Cause

The rise of nationalism in India has been a major part of recent political and social discourse. Ever since the BJP-led NDA coalition came to power in 2014, there has been a steady rise in nationalist sentiments. Most interestingly, this rise of nationalism is not limited to just one party.

Before independence, the term was first used by the Hindu Mahasabha and later by the Jana Sangh. The BJP, then the political wing of the RSS, used the term heavily during the fall of the UPA in 2013. There was a feeling of dissatisfaction with the economic slowdown during the UPA government, the GDP growth rate had been a decline at that time. Other factors included corruption, unemployment, and lack of opportunities that had led to high unemployment rates as well as increased inflationary pressures on income.

Therefore, the BJP not only managed to attract voters from different backgrounds by promising them jobs and development but also by playing on their fears about other religions and cultures. This rhetoric of the BJP had been successful to a large extent as they have now become the single largest party in the Parliament of India.

Effects of Nationalism on Democracy in India

The rise of nationalism in India is an important factor in the decline of democracy in the country. There is a growing sense of intolerance and xenophobia in the country, which has led to an increase in violence and discrimination against minority groups.

Nationalism has existed throughout the world for centuries, but it has only recently emerged in prominence in the political arena. The rising frustration with the economic situation in India and the lack of faith in democratic institutions can be attributed to the rise of nationalism. As a result, many Indians are turning to those nationalist leaders who proved them successful in showing them hope for change.

Third Grade Nationalists and their mindset

The rise of third-rate nationalists is a sign that the nation is passing through a crisis of national identity.

Nationalism can also be related to racism or xenophobia, which are negative feelings towards people who do not originally belong in their country. In fact, for the past several decades, the increase in immigration has been seen as an attack on national identity.

In India, people who identify as Bangladeshi or Rohingyas refugees are targeted with online abuse by these third-class nationalists or trolls. This is because of the belief that immigrants are responsible for undermining Indian culture and values.

This trend can be seen in other countries as well. For example, in France, many second-generation immigrants, who have been accused of engaging in "French suicide" and abandoning their French heritage, face trouble on their way to school. There have also been incidents of extremists attacking them in some serious cases. Such cases have also been seen in the US under Trump's presidency.

End of nationalism in the era of globalization

There is a lot of speculation about the future of nationalism. Some people say it will never die and others say it will be gone very soon. The truth is that there are many factors that will contribute to the demise of nationalism.

The era of globalization is also the era of nationalism. Nationalism is a cultural, political, and economic phenomenon that has been going on for centuries. Globalization is a relatively new phenomenon, but it has had a massive impact on the world economy. The tension between these two forces helps define the world we live in today.

However, there are some aspects of nationalism that will always be present in our society. Nationalism will continue to be used as a tool for political movements and as an excuse for violence and war throughout history.

Ultimately, it is fair to say that the outcome of the war between globalization and nationalism will determine the future of nationalism in the years to come.