Briefing of a Nationalist Incident

Briefing of a Nationalist Incident

Introduction

Nationalism is the most well known and popular political ideology that is described as the strong identification of a group of individuals with a particular nation. Nationalism exists in all parts of the world and all the human beings experience it, in one form of the other. In some areas, nationalism is stronger as compared to others and there are vast differences in the extent to which an individual might go in practicing nationalism. There are two major perspectives regarding the origin and basis of nationalism, and these are known as Primordialist Perspective and Modernist Perspective.

Discussion

Primordialist Perspective deals with the ancient views and theories that highlight the tendency of human beings to organize and form groups, to constitute distinctions, depending upon the place of birth and origin of different human beings (Calhoun, 2007, Pp: 130). On the other hand, Modernist Perspective deals with the recent phenomenon and highlights the modern theories and phenomenon regarding the structural conditions of the human society.

Keeping in view the significance of nationalism and the part it plays in running of social order in a society, it can be rightly said that nationalism is the major factor describing the nation related sentiments and the feelings of individuals in a society. The flowing paragraphs seek to discuss one of such nationalist incident and also highlight the features which render this incident a nationalist incident:

Nationalist Incident

There are certain incidences that gain international fame within no time, and become the centre of attention of the whole world. The importance of any incident is increased manifolds if any significant personality is involved or the incident deals with immense sentiments of nationalism and patriotism. One such incidence was observed in France in 2002, when a 25 years old man opened fire on the French president during the renowned French Bastille Day. The man was identified as a Pro- Nazi hooligan and tried to shoot the president in presence of police as well as hundreds of spectators, who were present to observe the parade (Mail online, 2002). This parade has is one of the distinguishing features of France and has been taking place since a number of years, in order to mark the 1789 revolution of France.

It is eminent to mention here that Chirac was one of the most famous anti- Nazi individual, who also took a number of steps to prove his stance and condemn the practices carried out by Hitler. He also called the era of Nazi rule as the darkest chapter in human history and showed sorrow over the ruthless killings and assassinations that took place in that era. The heartless experiments and the mass killing were also condemned by Chirac, and thus it proves his Nazi related sentiments and feelings.

Keeping in view the outlook and vision of the president, attack by a pro- Nazi individual renders the incident a nationalist incident and clearly shows the attempt to kill the president was because of his anti- Nazi views and ...