Approaches to Understanding Nationalism

Dr. Ray Casserly

Ernest Gellner• Nationalism is primarily a political principle

• It holds that a national and political unit should be congruent• It is essentially a sentiment, a movement – something intangible• The nationalist ‘sentiment’ arises from a challenge to the

principle connection between state and nation (or, the reaffirmation of it)

• Are the recent flags protests an example of this?• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21547032

• These failures of the principle, and subsequent challenges to it, can arise where the nation state fails to represent all nations within it borders• USA? Northern Ireland? Republic of Ireland? Spain?

Israel/Palestine?• In short, nationalism is the perspective that ethnic

boundaries should NOT transgress political boundaries.

Challenges such ideas on nationalism?

• Nationalism has never been so straight forward.

• There are usually exceptions made within boundaries for self interests (one small yet wealthy socio-economic group will ensure power works in their advantage)• Think about the representation of ‘the people’ in the following

parliments – USA Congress & Senate, UK House of Commons & House of Lords, Irish Dáil & Seanaid

• What are the gender/sex of the representatives?• What is their likely socio-economic background?

How can we compare cultures?

Resources for Ongoing OrientationCulture-general dimensions

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Cultural Valuesshared ideas about what is…

Right or wrongFair or unfair

Important or unimportant Good or bad

Normal or abnormal

Values tend to elicit strong, unconscious emotions.

“What is normal is a matter of values.”-Geert Hofstede

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National cultural values

“Because values are acquired in childhood, national cultures are remarkably stable over time; national values change in a matter of generations.

What we see changing around us, in response to changing circumstances are practices:  symbols, heroes and rituals, leaving the underlying values untouched.

This is why differences between countries often have such a remarkable historical continuity”

– Geert Hofstede (http://www.geerthofstede.nl/culture.aspx)

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Hofstede’s Cultural DimensionsEXAMPLE: Dimension 1: Individualism

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Individualism

Collectivism

USA91

Germany67

Guatemala6

A warning…

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Like cultural values, Hofstede’s findings about cultural dimensions should not be used as predictive labels.

Value dimensions offer a framework for understanding culture – a starting point for observation and dialogue.

Cultural Patterns: a bell curve

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Hofstede Dimension 1: Individualism (Related values: love, freedom, loyalty)

Individualist: People tend to beconcerned

primarilywith self and

closefamily. The needsand desires of theindividual are

moreimportant indecision making.

*Sometimes seems

“irresponsible” or“selfish” to

people with collectivist view.

Collectivist: People tend to be primarily concerned with family and other groups to which they belong. The needs and desires of the individual are less important in decision-making.

*Sometimes seems “oppressive” or “conformist” to people with individualist view.

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Hofstede Dimension 2: Power Distance Index(Related values: equality, respect, fairness)

Small power distance: People tend to value equal power relations and distributions, and rewards based on merit. Respect is shown through inclusiveness (teacher/boss) or initiative (student/employee).

*Sometimes seems “inappropriate” or “disrespectful” to people with LPD view.

Large power distance: People tend to accept hierarchy, unequal distribution, and rewards based on rank and position. Respect is shown through benevolence (teacher/boss) or obedience (student/employee).

*Sometimes seems “unfair” “overly formal” to people with SPD view.CIEE Seminar on Living and

Learning

Hofstede Dimension 3: Uncertainty Avoidance Index (Related values: security, risk, harmony)

Weak uncertainty avoidance: Uncertainty is a normal feature of life. People tend to accept risks and consider conflict and negotiation positively. There is little shame in failing if you get up and try again. Innovation and productivity are valued.

*Sometimes seems “impetuous” and “ill-considered” to people with SUA view.

Strong uncertainty avoidance: Uncertainty inherent in life is a threat. People tend to avoid conflict and risk, instead working for stability through formal structure and rules.

*Sometimes seems “dishonest” or “fearful” to people with WUA view.CIEE Seminar on Living and

Learning

Hofstede Dimension 4: Term Orientation (aka Confucian dynamism)(Related values: face, time, and spending/saving)

Short Term

Societies tend to foster virtues related to the past and present such as national pride, respect for tradition, preservation of "face” and social obligations by social spending.

*Sometimes seems “spendy” or “short-sighted” to people with Long-Term orientation.

Long Term

Societies tend to foster virtues oriented towards future rewards, in particular saving, persistence, and adapting to changing circumstances.

*Sometimes seems “unstable” or “indulgent” to people with Short Term oriention.

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Hofstede Dimension 5: Masculinity (Related values: assertiveness, competition, achievement)

Masculine –People tend to stress acquisition, ambition, and clear gender roles. Quality of life is mainly a woman’s concern. Conflict more often solved by force.

*Sometimes seems overly concerned with material gain; too forceful/ violent, unjust to people from “Feminine” view

Feminine – Stresses nurture, sexual equality, and more fluid or overlapping gender roles. Quality of life is a concern for all. Conflict more often solved by negotiation.

*Sometimes seems overly relaxed, immoral, “weak” politically or economically to people from “Masculine” view

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Concept of Time(Related values: efficiency, productivity, fun)

Monochronic: People in this group tend to see time as a limited commodity, deadlines and schedules are sacred and people live by an external clock.

*Sometimes seems “stressful” or “uptight” for people with polychronic view.

Polychronic:People tend to see time as flexible and situational and changed to meet the needs of people, schedules are easily changed, plans are fluid and people live by an internal clock.

*Sometimes seems “inefficient” or “rude” (with regard to promptness) people with monochronic view.

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Communication and context(Related values: honesty, face, truth)

High-Context: Indirect, nonlinear style. People expect to infer meaning from nonverbal cues and layers of implied meaning. The listener figures out the point. Everyone’s face is involved.

*Sometimes seems “pointless” or “confusing” or even “duplicitous” to people with low context view.

Low-Context: Efficient, direct style. People tend to ask questions and probe logical flaws. The speaker makes the point and only his or her “face” is at stake. Facts are more important than feelings. *Sometimes seems “aggressive” or “simplistic” or even “childish” to people with high context view.CIEE Seminar on Living and

Learning

Hofstede’s Newest Dimension: Indulgence vs. Restraint(Related values: expressiveness, pleasure)

Indulgence:

People are relatively free to indulge in the gratification of human drives related to enjoying life and having fun (hedonistic pleasures).

*Sometimes seems “immoral” or “dangerous” to people with a restraint orientation.

Restraint

People regulate the gratification of needs by means of strict social norms.

*Sometimes seems “oppressive” or “unfair” to people with an indulgence orientation.

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Seeing more trees in the forest

By learning about these dimensions, you are helping increase your perceptive complexity…and thus,

your intercultural competence!

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