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Can Regionalism and Nationalism coexist?
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The dynamics of regionalism and nationalism has altogether taken a different turn in the modern world. Present and past conflicts in India, Balkans, Sri Lanka, Africa, and other countries provide a stark reminder of what happens when regional, ethnic or religious differences break societies and ultimately feed on national integrity. But controlled regionalism can provide significant benefits giving way to a strong nation.
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Prasad
Feb 4 2008
Howrah,
India
Coexist??? It is already existing in several parts of the world and India and the United States are the biggest examples of the existence of regionalism within a sphere of nationalism. Regionalism at its peak would do nothing but disintegrate state and the society as well. Regionalism has its best of meaning in the limitiaton of nationalism.
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The concept of regionalism shouldn't be linked with separatism. These are two different concepts. Nationalism is the integral part of the regionalism and there is no question mark against the coexistence of both 'ism' altogether.
What kind of regionalism are you talking about. Regionalism has different meaning in the context of a nation and different meaning in the context of international issue. If the United Nations talks about regional conflict, it links with conflict among countries like Cambodia, Rwanda, Haiti, Croatia. South Asia is a region for UN and conflict between India and Pakistan is also a regional conflict for it and where is the question of nationalism in such kind of regional conflicts?
'Nationalism' should be replaced by 'Globalism' and Regionalism and Globalism can't coexist.
Which Regionalism? Regionalism in politics, Regionalism in art, Regionalism in international relations, Regionalism in literature, Regionalism in architecture?
I am giving here an example of the coexistence of Regionalism (in broader sense) with nationalism - Central Europe came together in the European Union. Latin America and the Caribbean islands are in the process to form North Americanism. China, South-East Asia, Oceania (Australia, New Zealand), are making the East Asia economic space. Isn't regionalism existing with Nationalism?
Region is the social system implying trans-local relations between human groups constituting a security complex and dependent on each other for the stability of the regional system. Once crossed this state everyone needs nationalism to survive in international system.
Words like globalization or nationalization sound good in broader terms. In fact it is demand of modern society or world that people come together and work for the integrity (be it social, political, economic, etc.) of first their nation and thus world. This is one side of the coin.
But the coin also has another side too, which is more gloomy and ominous. How we can expect a person with empty belly think nationally or globally who does not have any source to feed his/her family, which is a common picture in most of the African and Asian regions. They first need food and work for survival, only then they would be able to think wider.
But the coin also has another side too, which is more gloomy and ominous. How we can expect a person with empty belly think nationally or globally who does not have any source to feed his/her family, which is a common picture in most of the African and Asian regions. They first need food and work for survival, only then they would be able to think wider.
Regionalism exists at threatening level in failed states, Pakistan is the best example.
As every person thinks about his family and friends first than he cares for strangers or outsiders, similarly you cannot expect local people to drop regional or national identities and become universal citizens of the earth or humanity.
Bigger nations often views regionalism as random and unreasoning, however, local groups through the regional interests try to shift practical political considerations to create a psychology in which small groups can use the tool of de-escalation as a way of forwarding a political or social or economic process, keeping regional demands on priority list of the nation.
Every region promotes some kind of regional cooperation just to boost the wheel of progress of all the countries in its region. The European Union, the North American Free Trade Area, the SAARC, the development of East Asian regionalism are some of the best examples of regionalism.
Can Bush and Laden coexist?
Can North and South Pole come closer?
Can you put two swords in a single scabbard?
If not, then why to make a futile attempt to bring two corners of river together. It would be better to keep Regionalism and Nationalism separate and deal regional and national interests on the basis of priority, without messing them up to make a balance that eventually ends in a disagreement.
Can North and South Pole come closer?
Can you put two swords in a single scabbard?
If not, then why to make a futile attempt to bring two corners of river together. It would be better to keep Regionalism and Nationalism separate and deal regional and national interests on the basis of priority, without messing them up to make a balance that eventually ends in a disagreement.
Nationalism is the strength that decides the duration of life of nation. Regionalism led USSR to disintegration. No country aims to similar fate.
Regionalism and Nationalism can never coexist. To talk about their coexistence is just a speculation and waste of time, nothing more. And whatever the enthusiasts for transcending national interests or identities may be thinking is absolutely impractical, as local communities and people are not going to listen to and live by their wisdom anyway.
A person regionally or locally cannot figure out the wider function of the nation or world. With restricted outlook in mind, he simply lacks in real understanding. If one sees something so persistent such as national interests that defies one's individual understanding and common sense, which is quite possible in modern world with people relying on others for their day to day life, Regionalism and Nationalism can not just coexist but compliment each other.
How can you talk about regionalism in the era of globalization. Countries do need to make it strong enough to fight with economic threats coming from bigger nations and regionalism would definitely weaken the country. what a 'gunda' leader has dome in India's financial capital is a matter of shame. There is no place of such kind of politics in the country.
As the little extra amount of salt can spoil the taste of meal, the extra concentration on regionalism can spoil the essence of diverse culture of the country.
Regionalism might be good in different ways, till when it doesn't reach the point of exclusion or take the citizens in the opposite direction from the path of nationalism.
Regionalism might be good in different ways, till when it doesn't reach the point of exclusion or take the citizens in the opposite direction from the path of nationalism.
Why not, if various nations with different religions, cultures, interests and social and political environments can coexist together, Regionalism and Nationalism can also stand by each other.
However, the State will have to make increased efforts to improve the situation of smaller groups and communities concerning education, employment, housing and economic position, which will reduce the differences between nation and smaller regions and give an equal opportunity to groom all the ethnic and social groups.
However, the State will have to make increased efforts to improve the situation of smaller groups and communities concerning education, employment, housing and economic position, which will reduce the differences between nation and smaller regions and give an equal opportunity to groom all the ethnic and social groups.
Neither Regionalism nor nationalism, only globalism would exist with new regionalism.
For once let us forget regionalism and nationalism. Let me stress on the word globalisation which has taken the world by storm over the last 20 to 25 years. Ofcourse both regionalism and nationalism are important aspects af any ethnically diversed country, but the sheer weight of the meaning of the word globalisation virtually renders the concepts of regionalism and nationalism useless. Yes, regionalism is one of the important reasons responsible for the disintegration of the Soviet Union and ultra-nationalism has led to bloody wars in the Balkans. But have the United States, China and India crumbled under the pressures of regionalism and nationalism? The answer is a straight no although the mentioned countries do sometimes find ethnic regional issues coming to the fore of national politics. Yet, the massive economic and social growth of both India and China have been largely due to globalisation rather than nationalism or for that matter respective regionalism. Ethnic groups or states in India know that the growth of a country itself brings prosperity to various ethnicities, for successes in various regional states have combined to give India her great social, economical and military status that she deserves from the world.
A nation can never be strong or integrated until its different regions or states keep intact and remain integrated in even some of the most worst case scenarios. So national or world bodies should show open-mindedness in dealing sensitive regional issues and give due respect to reasonable demands of such groups and communities, than confronting them with irrational influence.
Global integrity will certainly be an increasingly important factor in the future, and the world will be shaped in large measure by the understanding and interactions among different groups, regions and nations. So mutual understanding between different ethnic and social groups becomes even important not for the national security but world peace as well.
Nationalism is everything for a citizen and superior of every 'ism' be it Regionalism, tribalism, globalism, new regionalism or internationalism.
Regionalism is the assertion of needs that something larger- say a state cannot fulfill. Be it assertion of ethnic, religious, linguistic, or similar other ties, the fact is that, it cannot be consistent with nationalism. Nationalism is something beyond parochial assertion, when you try to seek loyalty to a particular region, ignoring the larger sphere, nationalism stands defeated.
Differences among different groups, communities and civilizations are not only real, in fact they are basic. They are separated from each other by history, language, culture, tradition and primarily religion. The people of different sects and cultures have different views on the relations between the local area and the state, and differing views of the relative importance of rights and responsibilities, liberty and authority, equality and hierarchy. These differences don’t appear overnight but they are the product of centuries. We cannot expect them disappear soon. They are far more fundamental than disparities among political principles and administration. So it would be better not to interfere with their age long succession and let them develop on their own.
Differences between regions and nations do not necessarily mean conflict, and conflict does not necessarily mean brutality. Over the centuries, however, differences among groups and regions, and even nations have helped them grow together peacefully. So everything (coexistence of Regionalism and Nationalism) is possible if people and groups deal with cool heads and respect each other.
# Ambrish - Can Bush and Laden coexist? Can North and South Pole come closer? Can you put two swords in a single scabbard? - Have you gone mad? How could you link the two concepts with these silly examples? Bush & Laden, North Pole & South Pole, Two swords?
# Arefa, Can't u understand straight that we are discussing here regionalism on politics and international relations?
It is existing all together in every country of the world. Talk practically and you can see truth in my words.
@ Ollie, Pakistan is failed not because of regionalism but terrorism it sow in its own territory.
Nation gets a shape because of unity in diversity and regionalism at some extent favors nationality at upper level. who says it can't exist? get some brain....
Regional cooperation in broader sense is always necessary to fight for its rights in global world. nations should work hard for such cooperation to receive greater share of progress in the whole region.
Regionalism is always an issue in bigger countries like US, India and others but what is important is to save and develop nationality that is necessary to make the nation strong.
Nationalism is a broad concept. It denotes a sense of nationhood, a sense of oneness, a sense of integration and harmony. Where as Regionalism is narrow concept. It is the outcome of rebellion, not revolution. It divides people. So, both can not coexist.
The presence of regionalism deems nationalism. History records how regionalism is the major factor for national disintegration. How can they coexist?
It can very well co exist. It has been existing in India since ages. The certain aberrations have had certain political reasons and we also need to take not of external interferences in certain parts. In spite of that we have survived so far.
Regionalism is in fact the manifestation of basic human tendency. We feel more comfortable with the people who talk the same language. That is nothing unusual.
But we can still have a string heterogeneous nation, the need is inculcate the right values and prevent the young minds from getting bigoted. Proper education and economic prosperity will show the way.
Regionalism is in fact the manifestation of basic human tendency. We feel more comfortable with the people who talk the same language. That is nothing unusual.
But we can still have a string heterogeneous nation, the need is inculcate the right values and prevent the young minds from getting bigoted. Proper education and economic prosperity will show the way.
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