Introduction
The assigned papers delve into the concept of proto-nationalism, its roots, and its role in the modern world. Thus, the first reading states that the idea of national patriotism arises from the fact that there are particular groups of human beings who recognize themselves as members of these formations. For this reason, their interests are focused on the protection of these groups’ interests. This vision is close to the idea of proto-nationalism that emerge under the impact of feelings of the collective belonging which already existed in individuals’ mentalities. There are supra-local forms of identification that disregard the importance of particular areas and political bonds of certain entities that are linked to certain institutions.
Main body
The concept of proto-nationalism goes beyond traditional meanings of nationalism as it unites people from various states across the world in a particular formation characterized by similar ideas and mentalities. The language also plays a critical role in the appearance of proto-national groups as it helps to define individuals and differentiate them from the rest of the nationalities. In such a way, this sort of nationalism becomes a potent force that can be utilized with the primary aim to achieve a certain goal or promote a particular idea across the globe.
The role of proto-nationalism in the formation of nationalities can be evidenced using the second reading. For instance, the rise of Korea can be considered a history of one nation as since the first stages of its development it has been a single race. In such a way, mainly under the impact of proto-nationalist ideas, people living in the area managed to save the vision of a unified state and the vision of the Korean nation as a force impacting the evolution of the region. In such a way, the discussed concept became a basis for the emergence and formation of nationhood with its culture, mentality, and identity.
Conclusion
The reading also touches upon the topic of language and the role it plays in the evolution of proto-nationalism and the promotion of its ideas across the globe. It becomes an important component of ethnicities and cultures; however, it also undergoes the impact of local dialects and other language forms which makes it difficult to consider it to be the most important factors that precondition the emergence of proto-national ideas and their becoming central forces cultivating the rise of ethnicities and nations in various parts of the globe.
Question
What is the role of proto-nationalism in international policy and global intercourse?
The given question helps to acquire an improved understanding of the role proto-nationalism plays in the coherent society. At the same time, answering it, an individual will be able to investigate the main peculiarities of the modern international policy and understand how nationalism preconditions the emergence of various tendencies in policy and decision making.
Works Cited
Duncan, John. “Proto-Nationalism in Premodern Korea.” Perspectives on Korea, edited by Sang-Oak Lee and Duk-Soo Park, Wild Peony, 1998, pp. 199-221.
Hobsbawm, Eric. Nations and Nationalism Since 1780. 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, 2012.