National Identity Analysis

1181 Words5 Pages
There is significant evidence to demonstrate that there are flaws regarding Canadian national identity’s association with nature. Looking at those who play a crucial part in forging this identity such as government institutions, corporate businesses and individuals it will become clear that there are inconsistencies regarding this association. The 1920s and the impact of prohibitionists, the reduction of British control over Canada through the 1930s, and a reinvigoration of the connection between nature and national identity to avoid overt Americanisation from the 1970s in an increasingly globalised world economy are all significant factors in shaping this association. However, prior to the examination of this evidence it will be necessary…show more content…
Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities explores the concept of national identity. His argument is that it is the modern development of communications technologies, what he calls ‘print-capitalism’ that has enabled individuals separated by vast distances to feel as though they are part of an ‘imagined community’ and form an identity on a national level. This led to states mobilising their resources to create a sense of this shared ‘imagined community’. Additionally, Anthony Smith argues that ‘national identity helps individuals situate themselves in a greater world, both nationally and internationally. It connects people, allowing them to feel like they are part of something greater despite individual difference.’ Therefore, it is necessary to ask both why Canadians have chosen to identify themselves with nature, and how this has been spread amongst their citizens and on a global scale. The association with nature is intriguing as Canada has a distinctive problem with forging a national identity. There exists such a range of cultures and identities in Canada that the usual use of a linguistic community or racial or religious homogeneity to create a sense of shared community and national identity is impossible. While the continual struggle regarding Quebec separatism and forms of regionalism have made it difficult to create a ‘voluntary’ or ‘civic’ nationalism. Therefore using nature and the landscape becomes a much simpler way of addressing the complexities of nation formation and identity. This demonstrates the initial reason for the link between national identity and nature. While the formation of national identity and by extension nationalism has often been associated with international horrors such as World War II or ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, Canadian national identity

More about National Identity Analysis

Open Document