SOCIOL 2 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Civic Nationalism, American'S Creed, Ethnic Nationalism
Document Summary
Nationalist groups and leaders often appeal to nationality and nationhood as ancient and primordial. Emphasize ancient roots and innate existence of a given national community, often in ethnicity/race, language, religion. In contrast, sociologists tend to see nations as constructed by social institutions and processes. Institutions such as schools and governments supply constructions of what it means to be american (or other nationality) Through interactions with people and institutions, citizens form attitudes around what it means to be american. Ethnic nationalism = conception of the nation in terms of common ethnicity, race, language, and/or religion. Civic nationalism = conception of the nation in terms of common citizenship, commitment to shared national values or laws. Note: these are conceptual distinctions; most countries exhibit a mix. United states is often cited as example for civic nationalism . American creed of liberty, individualism, tolerance and pride in democratic institutions. But there are many strands of ethnic nationalism in us politics & society.
