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Nationalism – Class 11 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 11 Political Science, chapter 17. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Nationalism is a powerful political force that binds people together as a nation. A nation is an 'imagined community' held together by shared beliefs, history, territory, political ideals and a common political identity. Nationalism has inspired freedom struggles and unity, but it has also been used to justify conflict and exclusion. Democratic nationalism must respect diversity and the rights of minorities.

What makes a nation

A nation is different from a family or tribe; it is a large community whose members may never meet but share a sense of belonging.
Shared beliefs: a nation exists when its members believe they belong together.
History, territory, shared political ideals such as democracy and secularism, and a common political identity bind people as a nation.
Nations need not share one language, religion or ethnicity; India is a nation of great diversity.

National self-determination

Nations often claim the right to govern themselves and form their own state (self-determination).
After the First World War and during decolonisation, this principle led to many new states, but also to conflicts and displacement.
In a diverse world, the solution often lies in democratic arrangements that give groups rights and autonomy within existing states rather than creating new states.

Nationalism and pluralism

Nationalism inspired anti-colonial movements, including India's freedom struggle.
Aggressive nationalism has led to wars, intolerance and suppression of minorities.
Rabindranath Tagore criticised narrow nationalism and valued humanity above the nation; democratic nationalism respects pluralism and minority rights.

Key terms

Nation: a community of people who share a sense of belonging and a common political identity
Imagined community: the idea that a nation is held together by shared belief rather than personal acquaintance
Self-determination: the right of a nation to govern itself and decide its political status
Pluralism: acceptance and respect for diversity of groups and identities in society
Nationalism: a feeling of belonging to a nation and the political movement based on it

Important questions with answers

What is meant by national self-determination?2 marks

National self-determination is the claim of a nation to govern itself and determine its own political future, often by forming a separate state. It became important after the First World War and during decolonisation, when many nations became independent.

What are the factors that bind people together as a nation?3 marks

People are bound together as a nation by shared beliefs that they belong together, a common history and memories, a shared territory or homeland, shared political ideals such as democracy and secularism, and a common political identity. Nations need not share one language, religion or ethnicity.

Explain the meaning of nationalism, the factors that make a nation, and the relationship between nationalism and pluralism.5 marks

Nationalism is a sense of belonging to a nation and the political movements based on it. A nation is a large community whose members may never meet but who imagine themselves as belonging together; hence it is called an imagined community. Several factors bind a nation: shared beliefs that its members form a collective entity; a common history and shared memories; a territory regarded as the homeland; shared political ideals such as democracy, secularism and liberty; and a common political identity. Nations do not need a single language, religion or ethnicity; India is an example of a nation bound by shared political ideals amid great diversity. Nationalism has been a positive force in inspiring anti-colonial freedom struggles and in uniting people, but it has also been used to justify wars, intolerance and suppression of minorities. The principle of national self-determination led to the creation of many states but also to conflicts, because groups live mixed together and new states may create new minorities. Hence democratic nationalism must accept pluralism: it should respect the identities, cultures and rights of minorities and provide autonomy and protection within the state. Rabindranath Tagore criticised narrow nationalism and argued that humanity should be valued above the nation, reminding us that patriotism must not become hostility towards others.

Quick revision

Nation: shared beliefs, history, territory, ideals, identity.
Self-determination; problems of creating new states.
Nationalism inspired freedom movements.
Pluralism and minority rights; Tagore's critique.

Exam tips

List the five factors that bind a nation together.
Use Tagore's view to discuss the limits of nationalism.

Practice MCQs

A nation is best described as
1. a family
2. a community sharing a sense of belonging and political identity
3. a single tribe
4. a company
Show answer
Answer: (b) a community sharing a sense of belonging and political identity. Members may never meet each other.
The right of a nation to govern itself is
1. federalism
2. secularism
3. self-determination
4. monarchy
Show answer
Answer: (c) self-determination. It led to many new states.
Nationalism inspired India's
1. industrial revolution
2. freedom struggle
3. monsoon
4. green revolution
Show answer
Answer: (b) freedom struggle. It united people against colonial rule.
The idea that a nation exists because its members believe they belong together means a nation is an
1. imagined community
2. accidental group
3. economic firm
4. ancient tribe only
Show answer
Answer: (a) imagined community. Shared belief binds it.
Which thinker criticised narrow nationalism and valued humanity above the nation
1. Mussolini
2. Rabindranath Tagore
3. Bismarck
4. Machiavelli
Show answer
Answer: (b) Rabindranath Tagore. He wrote critically about nationalism.
Respect for diversity of groups and identities is called
1. uniformity
2. pluralism
3. isolation
4. monarchy
Show answer
Answer: (b) pluralism. Democracies value it.
Why is creating a separate state for every cultural group not a practical solution
1. groups never want autonomy
2. states cannot be created
3. groups are mixed across territories and new states may create new minorities and conflicts
4. all groups are identical
Show answer
Answer: (c) groups are mixed across territories and new states may create new minorities and conflicts. Democratic accommodation is often better.
Which statement about Indian nationalism is correct
1. it requires one language
2. it is based on shared political ideals and accepts diversity
3. it rejects democracy
4. it is based on one religion
Show answer
Answer: (b) it is based on shared political ideals and accepts diversity. India is united in diversity.

All chapters of Class 11 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.