Wade, Anderson, Gellner

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Wade, Anderson, Gellner

Wade, Anderson, and Geller are renowned philosophers who have played significant

roles in highlighting the significance of nationalism in modern societies. They have illustrated

the various concepts of nationalism and how they influence the culture. Therefore, the paper

presents a concise analysis of how the different nationalism concepts from Gellner, Anderson,

and Wade help people understand contemporary politics.

First, Gellner highlights that nationalism is a political principle whereby the national and

political unit should be in harmony and agreement. There is a need for congruency between

politics and nationalism as a way of preventing chaos or disunity. Gellner affirms that patriotism

involves political legitimacy, for instance, the boundaries of ethnicity should not conflict with

the political boundaries, and anybody was holding power must be a legitimate national of the

territory (Gellner 111). Nationalists hold the view that individuals who do not belong from the

majority should not be rulers of a political unit. Power holders should be from the majority, and

that minor ethnic boundary must seek legitimate inclusion in the significant territory. Based on

Gellner ideologies, we understand that contemporary politics involves national and political

unity. The modern politics must encompass a national outlook for it to be legally binding and

cohesive across the country. Besides, one would understand those contemporary politics

primarily majors on the majority. For instance, for one to become an American president, he

must have more than a half popularity in the whole country. The concept of majority rule is an

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indication that the contemporary politics entails the majority and minority. The majority have

national outlook, and they will always reign; thus, nationalism promotes political stability in the

modern politics.

Second, Benedict Anderson is a famous philosopher who majored on nationalism, and he

has explored the various concepts of nationalism through his work Imagined Communities.

Anderson posits that patriotism is essential for modern societies since it promotes national

growth and development. Nationalism supports togetherness despite people not knowing each

other in person (Anderson 2). Through nationalism, people from different communities can

coexist in the modern society without any wrangle. According to Anderson, a nation is an

imagined community, which means that the members or citizens of a small country do not know

some of their members. People continue to live together, but they cannot do not meet nor hear

from each other. People in the society just have an imagined mind that they are living as a

society yet they do not know each other. Therefore, the concept that nationalism encompasses

imagined community makes us understand that contemporary politics is a matter of ideologies or

policies rather than an individual. For instance, people are elected to political positions based on

their systems notwithstanding whether you know the candidate in person or not. The concept of

imagined community or nation makes people choose leaders that they have not met or heard

physically due to the mindset the society is one.

Finally, Wade holds the view that nationalism promotes patriotism in the society.

Nationalists must put the interest of their country first before everything. The success of modern

societies is dependent on how the people act to protect the prosperity and stability of their

country. There exist various instances of nationalism, for example, Wade postulates that a

nationalist can reduce support to countries that are threats to their success (Wade 80). Nationalist

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can engage in violence with an enemy country, and the politicians or leaders must be ready to

protect its citizens. Wade makes us realize that contemporary politics focuses on protecting the

security of a nation. Any leader who is a nationalist must be ready to safeguard the country’s

interests.

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Work Cited

Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of

Nationalism. (2004). Revised Edition.

Gellner, Ernest. Definitions. (2008). Print.

Wade, Lisa. "banal nationalism." Contexts 10.3 (2011): 80-81.

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