George Orwell (1903-1950)'s 'Notes on Nationalism'

Notes On Nationalism

Discuss how George Orwell defined the conception of nationalism with reference to its negative aspect.
Or, what does Orwell mean by negative nationalism and what is its impact upon the modern world?
Or, what are the primaries characteristics of nationalist thought and how it may create disturbance in the modern world?
Answer:-
The Essay “Notes on Nationalism” written by George Orwell in May, 1945. The essay explains the concept of nationalism and its effect on human being. The prose piece fist published in the first issue of “Polemic” in Oct, 1946. In this essay Orwell discusses the notion of nationalism and argues that it causes people to disregard common sense and become more ignorant towards factuality. Orwell chose his concern for the social state of Europe and in a broader sense the entire world due to an increasing amount of influence of nationalistic sentiment and creating problems worldwide. Written during the final stages of World War II, at a time when Europe had only just witness the destructive effects of political movements. Orwell’s essay uses Nazism as an example of how nationalism cannot only cause havoc between groups of people, but instigate the ignorance within such groups to create a wrong notion about the concept of nationalism.
George Orwell opens his discussion on the subject of nationalism and he sets his parameters in such a fashion that extends the connotations of the term beyond the conventions of the territorial limits within which the idea is most often confined. He makes his position clear at the very beginning as he says, “I am not using it in quite the ordinary sense, it only because the emotion, I am speaking about does not always attach itself to what is called a nation i.e. is a single or a geographical area.” Orwell compares his concept with other forms nationalistic ideologies to generate an overall argument questioning the functioning of nationalism. According to him it is possible for nationalistic feeling to be directed towards both positive and negative ends.
Nationalism is the name Orwell gives to the propensity of identifying oneself with a single nation or other unit, placing it beyond good and evil and recognizing no other duty than that of advancing its interest. The occurrence of nationalism is visible throughout history and is applicable even in Today’s world. Nationalism is not only defined as alignment to a political entity, it can also encompass a religion, race, ideology or any other abstract idea. Example of such forms of nationalism given by Orwell include communism, political Catholicism, Zionism, Pacifism and so on. Orwell additionally argues that his definition of nationalism is not at all the same as true what most people mean by “Patrolism”.
During this long essay Orwell discusses nationalism and the effect it has on some people. He also makes a distinction between nationalism and patriotism. According to Orwell Patriotism has the nature of defensive attitude. On the other hand nationalism is inseparable from the desire of power. Nationalist have more of a tendency to spread their way of thinking while the patriotic attitude wants to protect their ideas.
One of the themes Orwell discusses is that of the effects of nationalistic sentiment on human way of thinking. A Nationalist regards his side to be the strongest and from this sense of superiority he rejects other provisions. The slightest slay or criticism from another section causes them to retort or even act violently. They realize that they are serving a larger entity which provides them with this sense of security and they have the obligation to defend it.
Also in this essay Orwell provides three characteristics which describe those who follow nationalistic sentiment. These are obsession, instability and indifference to reality. The first condition obsession in Orwell’s view implies that every nationalist considers his case to be the most superior and his group or unity to be the most important. The 2nd condition instability implies that there is an element of inconsistency in the progressing generation of the nationalistic attitude. The 3rd condition is that of indifference which reflects a form of partial engagement with facts. The nationalist leaders are emotionally indifferent to the general needs of people and their way of thinking.
Orwell’s examination of nationalism as a modern phenomenon is however limited by the absence of any reference to the dominant political discourses on the subject during his time. He also remains silent about the questions of nationalism that originated across the colonial lands at that time. Still Orwell’s observation regarding nationalism is powerful and thought provoking with a message for universal brotherhood.


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