Essay plan....

Here is my essay plan - advice is welcome...

Was the development of nationalism shaped by class interests? Illustrate by comparison of several nationalisms arising in different eras and regions?

Intro

Historical Background (500 words)
Enlightenment
French Revolution
Liberalism
Creole nationalism
Modernisation & Industrialisation

Theory and Historiography (500 words)
Marxist theory
Anderson: Print capitalism & Creole nationalism
Development of vernacular
Gellner & modernisation
Hobsbawm & education
Official nationalisms

Class interests objectives – a comparison (3500 words)

· Secessionist: Basque/Welsh
· Aspirational: Serbian
· Displaced: Zionism
· Anti-Imperial: Arab

Conclusion (500 words)


Class interests and their goals. The objectives of nationalist movements can be divided and defined by what they are against and what they have to overcome. The driving force to nationalism has been the interests of certain areas of society. Nationalism must have a goal however this goal will not always be the same for separate parts of society. Class interests will vary with these varying objectives.

The development of nationalism was shaped not by factors such as language, religion, race or culture, but by class interests. Nationalism like any other ideology has an objective and that objective of gaining political power; different class groups used nationalism to gain political power and advance their own class interests. The objective of different class groups can be divided between ……….

Will history forgive anyone.....

A very relevant article in the New Statesman recently http://www.newstatesman.com/200512190017
The value of history whether in education or current affairs seems to be an ever growing hot topic. Coinciding with my studies... Its value as a political tool is growing exponentially. Firstly as advances in archive technology and freedom of information provide better access to events in the past. Secondly as we live in fast changing and difficult times where the future is seen with increasing intrepidation; creating an equation between past present and future is a political requisite...



On this particular quote, since history has become more and more politicised and subjective, then history will probably forgive them. After all some historians believe that Hiroshima, Vietnam, etc were justified.

Christmas break .....

Time for another blog. Apologies for the lack of posts since end of November - I have been busy, I assure you!

After finishing my background reading, have got an essay plan together, which I will put in the next post. Met my tutor and have written 1,000 words thus far. So with 1 month till the deadline, I think I am on track. But have got a 1 week break now, so hope to get over half way by the end of the year. This stage is certainly more enjoyable than long hours in the library, although it can be quite painstaking, as each sentence can take an age to construct, and even then I might edit it out later. But that is all part of the process - the sum is greater than all the parts.