Nationalism as a Problem by Partha Chatterjee Essay (Critical Writing)

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The first two chapters of Partha Chatterjee’s book seek to establish nationalism as an autonomous ideology. It does this by critically examining the works of early writers. The author does this by offering his views about the main arguments of the writers. The book begins with an examination of the theories of John Plamenatz, Elie Kedourie, Ernest Gellner, and Benedict Anderson. The first chapter named ‘Nationalism as a Problem in the History of Political Ideas’ attempts to give a background of the notion that nationalism impedes progress. The second chapter named ‘The Thematic and the problematic’ tries to distinguish between the thematic and the problematic levels of nationalist thought. Partha Chatterjee discusses eastern nationalism in the last four chapters of his book using India as an example.

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In chapter one, the author identifies nationalism as a problem in the world of political discussion. To advance this argument, he examines the works of other authors and manages to identify some major themes. He argues that in order to understand nationalism it is important to distinguish between two types of nationalism; western and eastern nationalism. Western nationalism originated from Europe and is alien to the colonized world. He observes that some early writers thought this form of nationalism was good. Western nationalism accepted civilization and modernization. This led to its characterization as a progressive form of nationalism.

Western nationalism is thought to be consistent with European enlightenment. On the other hand, eastern nationalism found mainly in Asia, some parts of Latin America and Africa was viewed as the evil form of nationalism. Therefore, eastern civilization is characterized as a deviant form of nationalism. Earlier authors linked it to agitation for freedom from colonialism. However, Partha points out that there are contradictions inherent in eastern nationalism.

The author observes that the problem with eastern nationalism is its attempt to merge the characteristics of eastern nationalism with western nationalism. The eastern nationalists wished to produce a distinct form of nationalism that contained certain aspects of western civilization. He argues that this is contradictory because it imitates a nationalist model that it seeks to repudiate. The author further points out that the model sought by eastern nationalists is both friendly and hostile to the culture it imitates. He sums up his argument by stating that this model of nationalism seeks to preserve national values while advocating for the elimination of certain aspects that are retrogressive. Eastern nationalism is expected to modify the national culture and spare its unique characteristics.

In chapter two, Partha Chatterjee discusses nationalism at two levels. He argues that in order to understand nationalism as an ideology we must examine its content. He contends that early writers emptied nationalism of its content. He sees nationalism at both the thematic and the problematic levels. To adequately demonstrate this concept, he uses Said’s work on Orientalism as a basis for his discussion. Similarly, Orientalism is divided into the thematic and the problematic levels. At the thematic level, orientalism is bound by a linguistic understanding of what is and what is not. At this level, a distinction is made between the west and the east.

Orientalism at the problematic level is based on the assumption that the Orient is not a passive participant. At the problematic level, the orient can alter the course of a discussion about him. The author observes that Said’s work demonstrates the power struggle between the orient and the occident. The occident dominant and has power over the orient. At the level of the problematic, Orientalism is given meaning and intent.

The author transposes these levels to nationalism and makes a distinction between the thematic and problematic levels of nationalism. Nationalism at the thematic level is not different from the thematic level of orientalism. At this level, there is a distinction between the west and the east. However, at the problematic level, the orient has the power to influence his destiny. Nationalists often operate at this level. Nationalists are charged with the responsibility of liberating their countries from colonialism. Nationalist thought is used to influence the course of countries.

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The book accurately points out that agitation for independence in some parts of the colonial world was motivated by nationalist ideology. The nationalists in the colonial world modified western nationalism to fit their specific circumstances. To a large extent, this argument by the author is accurate. However, it may not be applicable to all nations. Some nations may have had other sources of their nationalist ideology.

The author also implies in his writing that colonized nations have to go through three stages before becoming stable nations. First, a nation must fight for its independence. Secondly, nationalists create a discussion on what the new nation should look like. Finally, a new breed of nationalists emerges and changes the course of the discussion. The new nationalists encourage the emergence of a unified nation. However, a critical examination of this assumption indicates that it is flawed. This is due to the fact that not all nations go through all the phases. Some nations may move directly from stage one to a unified nation.

The book proposes that nationalism should be discussed as an ideology and not as a phenomenon. Early authors viewed nationalism as a phenomenon with sociological determination. This proposition has the potential to significantly change how we look at nationalism. Viewing nationalism as an ideology permits a free discussion of the matter. The subject can also be discussed in an objective manner. This is consistent with the author’s observation that nationalism is a concept that people should actively discuss and modify to suit their unique circumstances. Objectivity, in turn, would guarantee future development of the subject. It enables the subject to break free of personalized sentiments.

The book also divides nationalism into thematic and problematic levels. This is abstract division may not necessarily result in a better understanding of the subject. The author also fails to adequately define the two terms in relation to nationalism.

The first two chapters of the book discuss nationalism as a problem in the world of political ideas. The author revisits the works of early writers and comes up with some important conclusions. He concludes that nationalism should be viewed as an ideology and not as a phenomenon. To effectively illustrate his argument, he divides nationalism into thematic and problematic levels. Nationalists operate at a problematic level.

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IvyPanda. (2020) 'Nationalism as a Problem by Partha Chatterjee'. 9 May.

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IvyPanda. 2020. "Nationalism as a Problem by Partha Chatterjee." May 9, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/nationalism-as-a-problem-by-partha-chatterjee/.

1. IvyPanda. "Nationalism as a Problem by Partha Chatterjee." May 9, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/nationalism-as-a-problem-by-partha-chatterjee/.


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