Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict, and Democracy.

• Author: Fadlelmula, Maria Morris

The wave of emerging states in Central Asia and Eastern Europe following the end of the Cold War has resulted in a virtual epidemic of nationalism. The most prevalent image of nationalism in recent years has been that of a semi-automatic weapon-toting youth, bursting with ethnic pride, ready to cleanse his country of all those who do not fit his idea of who should constitute his nation. Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict, and Democracy is an interesting and valuable addition to the discussion of the rise of nationalism in the modern world. It examines nationalism in a calm, reasonable manner, accepting it as inherent in the nation-state system and looking at ways in which nationalism can be moderated.

The editors divide the book into three sections: The first is a discussion of the relationships between nationalism, democracy and liberalism. This is followed by an essay on severely divided societies and the particular obstacles they face in trying to establish and maintain democracy. Lastly, several countries are examined in light of their ethnic or religious divisions, how they have coped with them and how successful they have been.

The main theme of this book is that there needs to be a re-examination of the modern concepts of democracy and nationalism. Whereas democracy is typically presented as something good, rational and civilized, nationalism is generally seen as an evil, irrational and barbaric pursuit. In the first essay, Ghia Nodia suggests that these two concepts cannot be separated in this way, and that, in fact, one is dependent on the other. In order to form a democratic state, it is necessary to first determine who will be part of the nation. However, if some people are excluded in this process and the populace is defined along ethnic or racial lines, the very foundation of such a democracy is not rational. Conversely, Nodia argues that nationalism cannot exist without democracy. If a state is not representative of its people, there will not be a feeling of loyalty to, and pride in, that nation. Thus, neither nationalism nor democracy can occur without the other.

In his critique of Nodia's essay, Francis Fukayama explores the contradictions between liberalism and nationalism and suggests that this is where the real dilemma lies (rather than between democracy and nationalism). The most fundamental tenet of liberalism is the universality of individual rights. But nationalism, by definition, denies some rights to some people. Fukayama...