The worth of nations, nationalism as the pursuit of a shared frame of reference

grantor: University of TorontoThis work argues that the moral value of nations arises in their role as a cognitive mechanism for bringing together relevant information about a population's circumstances. As something that represents a shared frame of reference, nations can provide personal benefits in esteem and efficacy and can help in the management of a group's collective life. I begin by identifying and criticising six existing theory types that suggest a certain moral worth to nations and I claim that, while right in parts, they prove unworkable on some dimension. Turning to the experience with nationalism in Ireland and Quebec, I argue that in these cases there were two formulations of the nationalist claim. The first claimed that a difference in understanding between governed and governing harmed the population's interests. The second held that the loss of a unique idiom undermined the esteem and achievements of the population. Both, I argue, point to the significance of a shared frame of reference for political and personal well being. I then normatively evaluate an account of nationalism as a shared frame of reference. The national frame of reference, I argue, bundles together information on time, space, and relations with others, and given the territorialised nature of contemporary politics, this dimension sets nations apart. I also contend that nationalism is concerned with realising a good rather than establishing a condition for justice, and that is an instrumental good but one that derives from a capacity that is intrinsically good. Nations can extend personal knowledge, support expression and esteem, identify relevant local issues, and help us adapt to our dynamic environment. However, they need to keep in tune with the actual circumstances of the population. If not, the information and options they offer will become increasingly ill-suited, and may become an obstacle to knowledge and efficacy. Fortunately nations also provide a way for populations to collectively revise the options and information with which they work. Finally I ask how this account compares to the theories I outlined at the outset and I suggest that it addresses the weaknesses identified in these theories while it draws upon and complements their strengths.Ph.D