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What is Nationalism
the normative idea of the nation, in its modern sense, did not presuppose the prior existence of the state.’6 Gellner in this statement has labelled the nation as an incident, an unforseen event and not as a necessity like the state is. He sees the state has emerging on it’s own where as the nation mostly emerged because of the state. In doing so Gellner has labelled nationalism as been without root, as an occurring event that will eventually pass.
Smith, however when considering the point of view of Nationalists to that of gellener sees nations as always been ‘there and that it is indeed a part of the natural order, even when it was submerged in the hearts of its members. The task of the nationalist is simply to remind his or her compatriots of their glorious past, so that they can recreate and relive those glories.’7 Smith when considering the point of view of Nationalists recognisees the concept that nations have always existed hence with it Nationalism, which even though not always present could easily be revived. Hence, smith looking at things from the point of view of nationalists sees nationalism has an existing force that never departs.
Adrian Hastings in his article titled ‘ The construction of nationhood: Ethnicity, religion and Nationalism viewed Nationalism as ‘ something which can empower large numbers of ordinary people, nationalism is a movement which seeks to provide a state for a given 'nation' or further to advance the supposed interests of its own 'nation-state' regardless of other considerations. It arises chiefly where and when a particular ethnicity or nation feels itself threatened in regard to its own proper character, extent or importance, either by external attack or by the state system of which it has hitherto formed part; but nationalism can also be stoked up to fuel the expansionist imperialism of a powerful nation-state, though this is still likely to be done under the guise of an imagined threat or grievance.’8