Benedict Anderson's definition of nation.

In Imagined Communities (1983) Anderson argues that the nation is an

imagined political community that is inherently limited in scope and sovereign in nature. It is imagined because the
actuality of even the smallest nation exceeds what it is possible for a single person to know—one cannot know every
person in a nation, just as one cannot know every aspect of its economy, geography, history, and so forth. But as
Anderson is careful to point out (contra Ernest Gellner) imagined is not the same thing as false or fictionalized, it is
rather the unselfconscious exercise of abstract thought.

Nation as an imagined community[edit]

He defined a nation as "an imagined political community". [1] As Anderson puts it, a nation "is
imagined because the members of even the smallest nation will never know most of their fellow-
members, meet them, or even hear of them, yet in the minds of each lives the image of their
communion".[1] Members of the community probably will never know each of the other members face
to face; however, they may have similar interests or identify as part of the same nation. Members
hold in their minds a mental image of their affinity: for example, the nationhood felt with other
members of your nation when your "imagined community" participates in a larger event such as
the Olympic Games.
Finally, a nation is a community because,
regardless of the actual inequality and exploitation that may prevail in each, the nation is always
conceived as a deep, horizontal comradeship. Ultimately it is this fraternity that makes it possible,
over the past two centuries, for so many millions of people, not so much to kill, as willingly to die for
such limited imaginings.[1]

He argues that nations are cultural

constructions that lead people to believe they
have a common heritage and collective
responsibility to the nation.
The nation is imagined, according to Anderson, because it entails a
sense of communion or “horizontal comradeship” between people who
often do not know each other or have not even met. Despite their
differences, they imagine belonging to the same collectivity, and they
attribute to the latter a common history, traits, beliefs, and attitudes.
Anderson further defined this imagined community as limited
and sovereign: limited, because even the largest nations recognize
some boundaries and the existence of other nations beyond them;
sovereign, because the nation replaced traditional kinship ties as the
foundation of the state. The fact that the nation is an imaginary
construct does not, however, mean that its political effect is any less
real. On the contrary, Anderson argued, this imagined community
creates a deep horizontal comradeship, for which countless people
have willingly sacrificed themselves.
Benedict Anderson’s most enduring scholarly contribution remains the
succinct but revolutionary definition of the nation he offers in the introduction
to Imagined Communities: a nation is “an imagined political community—and
imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign.” This definition is radical
because it presents a transformed understanding of the kind of thing a nation
is—Anderson claims that it is an idea that binds people, not a natural political
unit. At the same time, people’s instinctual belief that nations are inherent,
concrete, and inevitable is proof that the nation is unlike other political ideas: it
compels action, loyalty, and sacrifice to a virtually unparalleled extent.
Anderson’s novel concept of the nation as an imagined community allows him
to explain why nationalism is historically distinctive, more powerful than other
political ideologies, and misunderstood by the scholars who preceded him.

Benedict Anderson is best known for his work regarding Nationalism in his book Imagined

Communities.

Anderson defines the nation as, “an imagined political community – and imagined as both inherently

limited and sovereign…It is imagined because the members of even the smallest nation will never

know most of their fellow-members, meet them, or even hear of them, yet in the minds of each lives

the image of their communion” (Anderson, B., 1983, p.6).

“The nation is imagined as limited because even the largest of them, encompassing perhaps a billion

living human beings, has finite, if elastic, boundaries, beyond which lie other nations. No nation

imagines itself coterminous with mankind…It is imagined as sovereign because the concept was born

in an age in which the Enlightenment and Revolution were destroying the legitimacy of the divinely-

ordained, hierarchical dynastic realm…Finally, it is imagined as a community because, regardless of

the actual inequality and exploitation that may occur in each, the nation is always conceived as a deep

horizontal comradeship” (Anderson, B., 1983, p.7).

Question 1. Do we agree with Anderson’s definition of the nation?

 Nationalism as a Positive Force

During an interview at the International Literature Festival in Stavanger, Anderson makes the case for

nationalism as a positive force:

“I must be the only one writing about nationalism who doesn’t think it ugly. If you think about

researchers such as  Gellner  and Hobsbawm, they have quite a hostile attitude to nationalism. I

actually think that nationalism can be an attractive ideology. I like its Utopian elements”

A link to the full interview can be found below:

https://www.uio.no/english/research/interfaculty-research-areas/culcom/news/2005/anderson.html
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In Imagined Communities, Anderson argues that nationalism is not linked with racism:

“The fact of the matter is that nationalism thinks in terms of historical destinies, while racism dreams

of eternal contaminations, transmitted from the origins of time through an endless sequence of

loathsome copulations: outside history…The dreams of racism actually have their origin in ideologies

of class, rather than in those of nation: above all in claims to divinity among rulers and to ‘blue’ or

‘white’ blood and ‘breeding’ among aristocracies” (Anderson, 1983, p.149).

However, in their review, the Influence of Benedict Anderson,  McCleery and Brabon (2007) argue

that, “whenever civic nations (as they imagine themselves)raise barriers against immigrants and even

those seeking asylum, they almost always do so on a racialized basis”.

cultural roots are important in establishing a local or national character

Culture' refers to the customs, practices, languages, values and world views that define social groups such as
those based on ethnicity, region, or common interests. Cultural identity is important for people's sense of self
and how they relate to others. A strong cultural identity can contribute to people's overall wellbeing.

Cultural identity is not exclusive. People may identify themselves as New Zealanders in some circumstances
and as part of a particular culture - Māori, Chinese or Scottish, for example - in other circumstances. They may
also identify with more than one culture.

The desired outcomes recognise it is important for people to feel a sense of national identity and also to be
able to belong to particular social or ethnic groups. They recognise New Zealand as a multicultural society,
while also acknowledging that Māori culture has a unique place. Under the Treaty of Waitangi, the Crown has
an obligation to protect the Māori language and culture.

Defining a national identity is not a simple matter. New Zealand is a diverse nation, made up of many cultural
groups, with many different customs and traditions. Many people identify their ethnicity in censuses as 'New
Zealander', but how they define their 'New Zealand-ness' may vary from person to person. For example, they
might see a New Zealand identity in aspects of New Zealand history, in New Zealand achievements in artistic
or other endeavours, through a sense of national characteristics or traits, or through national symbols and
icons. Māori culture may form one aspect of national identity, since it is unique to New Zealand and forms part
of our identity in the outside world.
Why is it important to maintain cultural roots?
The importance of preserving heritage, tradition and race

Culture and its heritage reflect and shape values, beliefs, and aspirations, thereby
defining a people's national identity. It is important to preserve our cultural heritage,
because it keeps our integrity as a people.

Cultural identity is an important contributor to people's wellbeing. Identifying with a particular culture gives
people feelings of belonging and security. It also provides people with access to social networks which provide
support and shared values and aspirations. These can help break down barriers and build a sense of trust
between people - a phenomenon sometimes referred to as social capital - although excessively strong cultural
identity can also contribute to barriers between groups. An established cultural identity has also been linked
with positive outcomes in areas such as health and education. 48

Conversely, members of minority cultures can feel excluded from society if the majority of those in authority
obstruct or are intolerant of their cultural practices, as happened to the Māori language and culture through
much of New Zealand's history.

Culture can also play a part in promoting social wellbeing in other ways. A strong national culture or identity,
and strength in artistic endeavours, can be a source of economic strength and higher material standards of
living.

Indicators
1. It gives you a sense of pride.

The pioneers of The Netherlands Cordillera Connection (TNCC)

“I’m very proud to be an Igorot. It’s not only because of the rich culture and tradition that
we have but more so because of how our forefathers fought and defended our lands
and people against Spanish colonization and all other attempts of invasion and
exploitation,” shared Ronnah Tingalon, a native of Mountain Province who’s been living
in the Netherlands with her Dutch husband for 6 years now. “Having this opportunity to
gather and solidify our ethnic community here despite being so far away from home
brings me so much happiness. It brings me great hope, knowing that even if I’m far from
my ethnic origin there’s still a way for me to pass the invaluable knowledge of my
cultural roots to my future children.”
2. It reconnects lives and strengthens family ties
“I grew up not knowing my father because he disappeared even before I was born.
Gladly, I met someone at the gathering who knew my father well. Though our
conversation wasn’t that long, listening to stories about my father has somehow made
me feel so connected,” expressed Joy Tallayo, a native of Mountain Province and now
residing abroad for 7 years with her Dutch boyfriend and 1yr old daughter. “Needless to
say, I’m thousand miles away from my hometown, which makes it difficult to travel as
often as I want to. But now knowing that we can still do something to bring our first
home closer to wherever we are is a happy and lucky thing.”

3. It builds bridges and strengthens community

Community singing of traditional Cordilleran songs

“While we are far from our Philippine Cordillera, the beating of the gongs and dancing,
the Cordillera costume of some ladies and gentlemen, and singing of ‘Nan Layad nan
Likhatan’ bring us back (for some moments) to our mountain home,” said Yvonne Belen
from Mountain Province who left the Philippines in 1985 during the Marcos dictatorship,
currently a Dutch citizen and living with her husband- Cesar Taguba- who is also a
fellow  Igorot from Benguet province. “The presence of our neighbor organization,
Cordillera Community in Belgium (Cordi-Bel), added color and sound. We had an
afternoon of sharing TNCC’s ideas to the audience and of bonding with those who
attended.”
“We dont have an Igorot tempoyog (gathering) nearby the region we live in Germany, so
my sister and I joined the gathering. It’s such a joy to reminisce and cherish where we
came from through songs, dances, dining and catching up,” added Josephine Tallayo,
also a native of Mountain Province who’s been living in Germany for 20 years with her
German husband and 20yr old daughter.
4. It awakens the authentic you.
“There’s nothing more liberating than being true to yourself,” uttered Renijune Abaya
from Benguet Province and has now been living in the Netherlands with her 3 children
for 8 years. “I’ve always wanted to have our folks gathered like we did. So what took
place on December 10 is a dream come true for me. I haven’t played the gong nor tried
dancing the steps from other provinces, and yet, it surprised me to have done it with
grace as if it wasn’t my first time! It’s amazing to be myself, enjoying the indigenous me
and feeling the warmth, appreciation and enthusiasm around.”

“I’ve lived in the Netherlands for about 20 years now, and I haven’t been to any ethnic
gathering, especially that of my very own, not until now,” said Jean van de Peut from
Abra and now a Dutch citizen living with her 3 children in the Netherlands. “Watching
our fellow Igorots from Belgium who came and performed our native dances gave me so
much inspiration. Such gathering felt so personal and unique… and hoping that for the
next one, I’ll be able to also showcase our Tingian dance from Abra.”
5. It makes you awesomely different.

Mercedes Dewalan performing a duet with her son, Charles.

“I joined the Igorot gathering with my Dutch husband and my son, and it’s a delight to
see my husband interested in gaining more understanding of who I am, especially my
ethnic origin. He said that by attending the gathering he felt like he has been to the
other side of the world,” wrote Mercedes Dewalan, a native from Benguet Province
who’s been here in the Netherlands for 4 years now. “My son grew up in the Philippines
and for the first time after nearly 2 years here, he felt like he is back home for a day.”
 

6. It drives one’s homesickness away.

“Joining my fellow Igorots has certainly driven my homesickness away. Having no family
here and living in someone else’s home for cultural exchange is oftentimes lonely,”
shared Aprille Sandiwa, a native from Benguet province and came to the Netherlands
as an au pair for less than a year now. “The TNCC event on December 10 gave me a
perfect example of what it truly means to be with a community of people sharing the
same culture, tradition, beliefs, traditions and also personalities. It feels like home to
have a reunion like this… I can’t wipe the smile and laughter on my face even few days
after the event was over.”
7. It brings ignorance closer to awareness
“In the Philippines, there is a common misconception about the Igorots, especially when
it comes to our looks,” said Aida Tingalon from Mountain Province who left the country
for more than 3 decades and currently a Dutch citizen. “We, Igorots, are mountain
dwellers, and for some reasons, Filipinos from the lowlands oftentimes picture us as
dark, short and with a tail, which is obviously not the case. So holding on to my cultural
roots by means of reliving it once in a while, meeting with fellow Igorots here in the
Netherlands, and happily sharing knowledge of who we really are are great ways to
correct these inaccurate information and faulty picture of us.”
8.  It creates a support system for community members.
“It feels great to witness the support that one gives to another. Like the spirit of
Christmas, there’s gladness and real joy in the air. I see everyone helping out from
preparing the venue to playing the gongs, listening to one another, sharing stories and
even cleaning up,” commented Minerva Bulong, a native of Ifugao who came along with
her Dutch husband and son who enthusiastically joined the community dancing with
cheers. “It is my hope that we continue to be gentle, kind and supportive to one another,
which is the real essence of building unique communities such as ours.”

Participants at the December 10 gathering of Igorots in the Netherlands

In conclusion
What took place that day was a real personal eye opener not only for me but also to
those who were with me to witness the making of The Netherlands Cordillera
Connection.

No matter where you are, what you do and what your aspirations or dreams in life are,
remember to hold on to your cultural roots. It can somehow spark the fire in you,
especially when times get gloomy and cold. Besides, the stronger, healthier and fuller
your knowledge of your deep roots is, the stronger, healthier and fuller can you actually
grow and succeed in life.
3.

Why It’s Important That We Study

History

clip_image002

 
When most of us think back to our childhood school days, we can also
remember at least a handful of kids who thought history class was a drag. To
them, history just seemed like a jumble of names and dates attached to
events long over with and people long dead. What was the point of learning it
at all?
 
They didn’t know then that history was one of the most important
subjects they’d ever study. Here we’ll take a closer look at why history is
important and explore why everyone should make it a point to study it in depth.
 
1. History helps us develop a better understanding of the world.
You can’t build a framework on which to base your life without understanding
how things work in the world. History paints us a detailed picture of how
society, technology, and government worked way back when so that we can
better understand how it works now. It also helps us determine how to
approach the future, as it allows us to learn from our past mistakes (and
triumphs) as a society.
 
2. History helps us understand ourselves.
To understand who you are, you need to develop a sense of self. A large part
of that is learning where you fit into the story of your country or the global
community in the grand scheme of things. History tells you the story of how
your nation, city, or community came to be everything that it is. It tells you
where your ancestors came from and tells you who they were. Most
importantly of all, it gives you the ability to spot (and appreciate) the legacies
you may have inherited from them.
 
3. History helps us learn to understand other people.
History isn’t just an essential introduction to your own country, ethnic heritage,
and ancestry. It’s also a valuable tool when it comes to understanding those
who are different from us. Global, national, and regional history books help us
understand how other cultures affect our own.
 
They encourage us to develop a greater appreciation for multicultural
influences within our own communities as well – exactly why everyone should
study African American history, immigrant history, and so forth, regardless of
their own cultural background.
 
4. History teaches a working understanding of change.
 
 clip_image004

 
It goes without saying that change can be a difficult concept to understand.
Each of us has a different experience with the rest of the world – an
experience shaped by societal norms, cultural differences, personal
experiences, and more. We know when we as individuals crave change and
why. History helps us better understand how, when, and why change occurs
(or should be sought) on a larger scale.
 
5. History gives us the tools we need to be decent citizens.
Good citizens are always informed citizens, and no one can consider himself
to be an informed citizen without a working knowledge of history. This is the
case whether we’re talking about our role in our community or in regards to
our nation on the whole. History helps us become better voters and more
effective members of any type of society. It helps put us in a position to better
inform others as well.
 
6. History makes us better decision makers.
“Those that do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” Those words were
first spoken by George Santayana, and they are still very relevant today
because of how true they are. History gives us the opportunity to learn from
past mistakes. It helps us understand the many reasons why people may
behave the way they do. As a result, it helps us become more compassionate
as people and more impartial as decision makers. Our judicial system is a
perfect example of this concept at work.
 
7. History helps us develop a new level of appreciation for just about everything.
 

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History is more than just the living record of nations, leaders, and wars. It’s
also the story of us. It’s packed with tales of how someone stood up for what
they believed in, or died for love, or worked hard to make their dreams come
true. All of those things are concepts we can relate to; it’s enriching to know
that so could the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, or Martin
Luther King.
 
Plus, history is just plain interesting. Everything you like about your favorite
movies, television shows, and fiction novels is yours to experience right here
in reality when you study history. Explore the possibilities today and step into
a whole new world that will change who you are forever.

All people are living histories – which is why

History matters
Penelope J. Corfield
Historians are often asked: what is the use or relevance of studying History (the capital letter
signalling the academic field of study)? Why on earth does it matter what happened long ago?
The answer is that History is inescapable. It studies the past and the legacies of the past in the
present. Far from being a 'dead' subject, it connects things through time and encourages its
students to take a long view of such connections.

All people and peoples are living histories. To take a few obvious examples: communities speak
languages that are inherited from the past. They live in societies with complex cultures,
traditions and religions that have not been created on the spur of the moment. People use
technologies that they have not themselves invented. And each individual is born with a personal
variant of an inherited genetic template, known as the genome, which has evolved during the
entire life-span of the human species.

So understanding the linkages between past and present is absolutely basic for a good
understanding of the condition of being human. That, in a nutshell, is why History matters. It is
not just 'useful', it is essential.

The study of the past is essential for 'rooting' people in time. And why should that matter? The
answer is that people who feel themselves to be rootless live rootless lives, often causing a lot of
damage to themselves and others in the process. Indeed, at the most extreme end of the out-of-
history spectrum, those individuals with the distressing experience of complete memory loss
cannot manage on their own at all. In fact, all people have a full historical context. But some,
generally for reasons that are no fault of their own, grow up with a weak or troubled sense of
their own placing, whether within their families or within the wider world. They lack a sense of
roots. For others, by contrast, the inherited legacy may even be too powerful and outright
oppressive.

In all cases, understanding History is integral to a good understanding of the condition of being
human. That allows people to build, and, as may well be necessary, also to change, upon a
secure foundation. Neither of these options can be undertaken well without understanding the
context and starting points. All living people live in the here-and-now but it took a long unfolding
history to get everything to NOW. And that history is located in time-space, which holds this
cosmos together, and which frames both the past and the present.

Summary
Because humans are rooted in time, people do by one means or another pick up ideas about the
past and its linkages with the present, even if these ideas are sketchy or uninformed or outright
mythological. But it is best to gain access to the ideas and evidence of History as an integral part
of normal education.

The broad span of human experience, viewed both in depth and longitudinally over time, is the
subject of History as a field of study.

Therefore the true question is not: 'What is the use or relevance of History?' but rather: 'Given
that all people are living histories, how can we all best learn about the long-unfolding human
story in which all participate?'

To me, History is one of the most important subject you get to study at school. You need to
study your past if you want to change your future. To quote Winston Churchill: “A nation that
forgets its past has no future”.

Understanding that learning about your history is not about making any one person or people
group feel guilty. You cannot be guilty of actions that took place before you were born. But you
can be guilty for remaining ignorant and not learning about your history and then repeating the
same mistakes as your ancestors. This is why History is so important. We need to learn about
our past so we can avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.

In this section:
History develops a sense of respectful empathyHistory as a disciplineHistory and informed
leadershipHistory and informed and active citizenshipBack to Why History Matters

History connects the past with the

present
History matters because it helps us as individuals and as societies to understand why
our societies are the way they are and what they value. As Professor Penelope J
Corfield says:

"Why on earth does it matter what happened long ago? The answer is that History is
inescapable. It studies the past and the legacies of the past in the present. Far from
being a 'dead' subject, it connects things through time and encourages its students to
take a long view of such connections.
All people and peoples are living histories. To take a few obvious examples:
communities speak languages that are inherited from the past. They live in societies
with complex cultures, traditions and religions that have not been created on the spur of
the moment. People use technologies that they have not themselves invented. … So
understanding the linkages between past and present is absolutely basic for a good
understanding of the condition of being human. That, in a nutshell, is why History
matters. It is not just 'useful', it is essential."

Of course, it is easier to connect with your past if you come from a long-established,
wealthy and powerful family as Churchill did. We can see that from an early age he was
using notebooks to study and record the history of his family, particularly the military
triumphs which really established the family’s prestige and influence.

Want to zoom in, download or print any of the following documents? Schools can
benefit from additional functionality by registering for free access to the
complete Churchill Archive here.
Available to view with free access to the Churchill Archive:

 View WSC's history notebook, c. 1892 (images 1 to 3)

 View cartoon from Punch magazine, 1938 (image 4)

On the other hand, studying history can help us to feel a connection with the past as we
discover that some human experiences are universal across time. For example,
Churchill had to pay his electricity bills! In fact, he struggled to pay a lot of his bills. For
example, here is a letter from Churchill to his wife Clementine, which he wrote to her in
1935 when she was away from home. As well as updating her on home improvements,
Churchill sets out their financial situation and his plans to keep better track of their
money so they can see what they are spending. He expresses completely ordinary
concerns. After all many people today struggle to keep on top of their finances. It also
reminds us that although Churchill has a mighty reputation, he was also a family man
with a home and everyday concerns, particularly money.

4. creating unity among a people may create fascism agree or disagree