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Visions of National Identity. Chapter 16. Jane Ash Poitras – Those Who Share Together, Stay Together Purpose of the exhibit: Looking at artistic voices represented across Canada Key Terms: cosmopolitan, asymmetrical federalism. Looking Ahead. What are some visions of nation?
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Visions of National Identity Chapter 16
Jane Ash Poitras – Those Who Share Together, Stay Together • Purpose of the exhibit: Looking at artistic voices represented across Canada • Key Terms: cosmopolitan, asymmetrical federalism
Looking Ahead • What are some visions of nation? • What are some visions of Canada? • What is your vision of national identity?
What are some visions of nation? • National identity is, in general, a group identity that is based on linguistic, ethnic, cultural, religious, geographic, spiritual, or political understandings of nation. • People sometimes combine these understandings of nation with a sense of themselves as a civic nation • In the years leading up to WWII Japanese students were taught patriotism • In 2006, Japan passed a law requiring teachers to evaluate each student’s level of patriotism
When nations do not have a country of their own, their national identity may be based on religion, language, or culture • For example Tibet (358)
Pluralism and Diversity • A pluralistic society is a society that respects diversity • Evolving identities – when people move from one country to another, they are exposed to many different cultures • People with a background like this are sometimes described as cosmopolitan. They borrow, adopt, and adapt values from many cultures
Identity and choice – Economist Amartya Sen argues that freedom of choice is the key to balancing conflicting national identities. “human identity, in particular its inescapable plurality” Pluralism in Britain – divided or accepted (360)
What are some visions of Canada? • D’Arcy McGee – “So long as we respect in Canada the rights of minorities, told either by tongue or creed, we are safe” • Wilfrid Laurier – “it is the image of the nation I would like to see Canada become…” (361) • Today Canada is often described as a civic nation with a national identity based on shared values and beliefs expressed in law. • The values and beliefs that bind Canadians together are important aspects of Canadian national identity.
A Pluralistic Country • Multiculturalism and pride (362) • Diversity in Alberta (362) • Zarqa Nawaz • Today, some Canadians view Canada as a confederation of many nations • League of Haudenosaunee – each nation looked after its own internal affairs, but all agreed to work together for protection and trade. • Aboriginals today – unfinished business = government apology
Quebecois Nation • Quebec and reasonable accommodation • Haentjens said that she feels more at home among Francophone minority in Ontario than in Francophone Quebec • Herouxville adopted a code of conduct for immigrants • Kymlicka believes Canadians outside of Quebec view Canada as a single national community; but this is not the view in Quebec
Thinkers such as Kymlicka believe that if Canada is to survive as a country of many nations, Canadians must embrace the idea of asymmetrical federalism. • Under asymmetrical federalism, all provinces and territories would not share power with the federal government in the same way.
Canada and Globalization • Effects of globalization on nationalism • Some say nationalism will become even more important • But Canadians sometimes wonder how they can respect diversity and support national unity at the same time • Immigrants and finding jobs in their chosen field
Canada in the World • Middle power • Bissoondath wonders whether Canada is living up to its reputation as a country that can – and should– play a key role in the world • Jeffrey Sachs – “we have seen …no global leadership from Canada on poverty, hunger, disease, climate change and foreign assistance. • Stein – believes we can make a difference – “networks of immigrants now connect Canada around the globe”
What is your vision of national identity? • French philosopher Ernest Renan once said that a nation is “a group of people united by a mistaken view about the past and a hatred of their neighbours” • Defining your vision (372) – Canadians are developing a new ethnicity • Picturing Canadian identity (372)
Citizens of the World • Keen Sung (Global Youth Assembly) – nationalism must evolve into a sense of personal, international responsibility • National borders should not stand in the way of global co-operation • Being able to think globally while also keeping a strong sense of national identity ma be one of the greatest challenges facing people today • Nationalism – globalism – or a balance
JOURNAL • Respond to the final prompt question on page 373 based on the course and the issues we have discussed