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Countries Like France And Italy

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countries like France and Italy (xxx, xxx). But this resulted from the erasure of the identity of a significant sector of the peoples residing within their borders (xxx, xxx). Moreover, enhanced self-esteem and an improving lifestyle accruing from industrialization made assimilation less painful in these earlier cases of nation-building (Stephen Castles 1998). The incongruity between state and nation is therefore compelling scholars to draw a distinction between the two. The belief that all states are, or must be, nations has almost inevitably generated an urge to make states out of all nations (Lord Acton, xxx). The people category is also embracing heterogeneity. From people perspective, two parallel trends have emerged: while the …show more content…

One of the traditional functions of state that needs to end is the project that envisions to turn all the inhabitants of the state into one culturally and linguistically homogeneous nation. Denationalization of state is emerging as alternative to resolve the conflicts that born out of the antipathetic nationalism. The state should not be associated with any particular group, but should be the neutral common property of all its citizens (1992: 205). In simple term, since the state itself is changing in form and functions, so must the nationalist doctrine and strategy (Michael Keating 1998). Several points of departure also appear necessary when rearticulating nationalist doctrine and strategy to render them more resonant with contemporary reality. The formulation of identity should base on respect for democracy and human rights and the willingness to rigorously uphold them (xxx, xxx). Creating a fair balance between cultural diversity and framing a common political community is only possible through ‘just recognition’ of each other’s identities. “Just recognition” entails acknowledging the inherent worth of those whose identity is defined in different terms from ours. Reflecting the symbols and languages of all concerned collectivities in their constitutional foundation is the basics of just recognition (O’Leary 1999). Only this willingness of communities to reach across cultural divides through mutual recognition can disarm extremist elements

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