University of the Philippines Los Baños

DEVC 101

- Since World War II every successful revolution has defined itself in national terms, and in doing so has grounded itself firmly in a territorial and social space inherited from the prerevolutionary past. - Many old nations, once thought fully consolidated, find themselves challenged by ‘sub’- nationalisms that dream of shedding the subness one happy day. - Nation-ness is the most universally legitimate value in the political life of our time. - But nation, nationality, nationalism – have all proved hard to define. - Hugh Seton-Watson: “Thus I am driven to the conclusion that no “scientific definition” of the nation can be devised; yet the phenomenon has existed and exists.” - Nationalism is an anomaly for Marxist theory - “The proletariat of each country must, of course, first of all settle matters with its own bourgeoisie.” - Nationality / nation-ness, and nationalism, are cultural artefacts of a certain kind.