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Non-Violent Nationalism and Fundamental Change

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Non-Violent Nationalism and Fundamental Change
Nationalism as a concept is defined by the formation of a distinct identity for a certain population in terms of their religion, ethnicity or class differences. This term was used to describe the rise of movements along these distinct lines. Since then the connotations of the word may have changed over time but its essential meaning has remained unchanged.

The term in essence refers to two varying sentiments. Broadly speaking, the first of these is a sense of identification with a certain nation based on ethnic, cultural or religious bounds. The second is a sentiment of loyalty to the nation as defined by these ethnic, cultural and religious bound. While the first only serves as a unifying factor in most cases, the second also serves as a rallying call for mass political mobilization. This has been obvious especially in the years immediately after the Second World War during the time of the disintegration of Colonial power structures and the subsequent creation of a bipolar world.

The concept of the non-violent movement was introduced to these anti-colonial movements early enough. Gandhi, the tiny, old man of Indian politics came up with the idea of a non-violent independence struggle. This was a struggle which initially rooted itself in a secular context but gradually became known as essentially being a Hindu Nationalist movement.

Gandhi¡¦s initial thrust had been towards unifying Indian natives under this banner of non-violence in order to garner support for an ouster of the British from India and an overhaul of the Indian government structure. What this meant was that Gandhi was looking for a ¡¥fundamental change¡¦ in the structure and hierarchies of the Indian state. This is highlighted in his writings: ¡§The state after withdrawal (of the Colonizers) will depend largely upon the manner of it. If, as you assume, they (the Colonizers) retire, it seems to me we shall still keep their constitution and shall carry on the government.¡¨

Gandhi was



References: and Works Cited „« Gandhi, Mohandas. Hind Swaraj. pp. 26-29, pp. 66-74, pp. 79-99, pp. 170-187 „« Davis, Stephen M., Abukhalil, Asad. South Africa: The ANC „« Guevara, Ernesto Che. ¡§Man and Socialism in Cuba,¡¨ Vencemeros!, pp. 387-400 „« Halliday, Fred. The Iranian Revolution: Uneven Development and Religious Populism

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