Related Issue #1 Should our identity be based on our nation?
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Transcript of Related Issue #1 Should our identity be based on our nation?
Related Issue #1 Should our identity be based on our nation?
KEY ISSUE: To what extent should we embrace nationalism
What is a nation?
Elements of a nationEthnicity
Shared characteristics (racial, culture, linguistic) because of shared ancestry
LanguageSharing language helps people see the world in similar
waysPeople who speak a language fluently can understand
each other deeplyCollective language (us, our, we)
CultureThe way of life that people share bring them together
ReligionPriests, elders. Mullahs, imams, ministers and other
religious leaders pass on traditions that help people share religious beliefs
GeographyMountains, oceans and deserts are physical barriers
that isolate people and they develop their own ways
SpiritualitySpiritual connections unite people
PoliticsAny group of people who have sovereignty or even the
desire for sovereignty have a sense of belonging Relationship to land
Different land provides different resources and different resources influence the way people live
Is Canada a “nation”?Test Canada’s nation status against the criteria Element of a nation Relevance to Canada
There is a common racial and/or ethnic background of the people There is a common territory (land) There is a common history, common traditions, and a common religion The people have common interests and goals politically The people speak a common language
1 2 3 4 5
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A new Canada
Canada as a civic nation?Civic nation means that a nation exists, made up
of people who share certain political beliefs but are different in ethnicity, language, culture, religion etc
Aspects of a Civic nationSupport for social programsFreedom of PressEqual opportunity for allFreedom of peaceful assemblyActive citizenshipA government that reflects the will of the peopleFree and Fair electionsConstitution
Outlines the basic rules that society is based onCanada’s first 34 sections are Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Identity and Nation Human desire to belong is strongIdea of a nation sparks powerful feelings of
belongingPeople make conscious and unconscious
decisions to include national symbols/identity as part of their individual identity
How is nation part of who you are?Aspects of your identity Connection to a nation
What is nationalism?
Expressions of NationalismCurrencyBordersOfficial languagesWarsPoliticsTerritoryFlagAnthemPropagandaReligion
Setting the stage for Change:Factors that influence the Development of Nationalism
Historical FactorsAncestry LanguageCommon past experiences
Political FactorsRepresentative government vs dictatorship vs monarch
Geographic FactorsLarge vs small territoryIsland vs land locked
Economic FactorsDebtDevelopingRich vs poor
Social FactorsChanges in thoughts and philosophies (shift in ideology) RightsQuality of lifePopulationReligionStructureLanguage
Results of NationalismWarCountries forming/splittingIndustrializationImperialism
Loyalty
firmly committed or faithful to someone or something
Syn. allegiance, devotion, attachment, patriotismloyal to an idea, a value, a cause, or a nation or to
other people no matter what it is very personal and significant in different situations
Show your loyaltyshow it publicly (at a protest or celebration) or
privately (ceremony or an agreement)RAMS t-shirtSing national anthemWave an oilers flag at a gameMaple leaf pin on your backpackReclaiming your heritage name (tribal, inuit etc)
Nationalist Loyalties
when you are committed or faithful to a nationpatriotism=love for ones nation/countrymany groups affirm their nationalist loyalties
through a variety of ways (i.e. parades, celebrations, protests, reclaiming, place names)
can create conflict if you are loyal to more than one nation or if two groups loyal to different nations different things (conflicts over territory, language rights, human rights and natural resources)
Canada and Nationalist LoyaltiesCanada is a pluralistic society which encourages
and promotes people form various cultures to affirm and promote unique cultural identities (aka multiculturalism)
Reasonable accommodations are made in Canada to help people feel that they can express themselves.
Reasonable AccommodationsLots of NEW Canadians find comfort in the
freedom to express non Canadian loyalties1990 Sikh RCMP allowed to wear turban instead of
Stetson2007 Quebec had issues with allowing
accommodations and refused to let an 11yr old girls play soccer in her hijab
Non Nationalist LoyaltiesLoyalty that is not related to the idea of a nation Religious
loyal to the beliefs and values of a religion and community that shares those beliefs• e.g. Irish Catholics vs Protestants
Regional loyal to promoting economic, social and political interested of a specific region
• e.g. Oil tax on Western Canada and none on Eastern (1980s)
Cultural loyal to values and ways of life of a group
• e.g. Oil Sands development and first nations Class
loyal to your social status based on wealth, level of education, ancestry, heritage etc• e.g. Protesting and demonstrating for workers rights
Ethnic Loyal to people that share same cultures and ethnic background
• e.g.
Contending Loyalties
when there is a struggle between two loyaltiescan cause conflicts within a person or within a
larger populationloyalties can change based on time, money,
emotions, situations every day
Examples of Contending LoyaltiesCanada Day celebrations and Day of mourning in NFLDIsraelis and Palestinians want to control say territoryQuebec sovereignty vote came down to 50.52% NO
and 49.42% YESWinnipeg General Strike in 1919Ireland’s long history of conflict between Catholics and
ProtestantsAlberta oil and gas industry vs government (1970s, 80s)Alberta development of oil sands
Reconciling LoyaltiesThere are three options 1. Live with it!2. Choose one loyalty over the other3. Accommodate by bringing change to a nation
Live with it!Reasons people might choose to live with their
loyalties in conflictToo hard to chooseOccupied by other issuesEasier than taking actionBelieve they cannot make a difference
Choose one over the otherWhen people are forced to choose one loyalty over
the other they typically are forced to sacrifice an important part of their identity which leads to the feelings of alienation
e.g. Michaelle Jean (Gov Gen) gave up her French citizenship so Canadians knew she was truly Canadian
Bring about change in society2003 Alberta
Hutterite colony• Fought to be exempt from putting their pictures on their license for
religious reasons1957 American South
Little Rock Arkansas• Brown Trickey
Should nation be the foundation for identity
Are they related How is nationalism shapedContending loyaltiesReconciling loyalties