Comparative nationalisms in Gandhi's global village

In this chapter, I argue that instrumentalist, ethno-symbolic, and psychological approaches to nationalism should not be considered as mutually exclusive perspectives. The quest for a better understanding of nationalism's continued 'explosive energy and awful power' in the age of globalism requires that these approaches be employed in complementary fashion. Assuming that prominent nationalist leaders play a vital role in this process, I develop my complementary perspective as a micro-level analysis of text(s) and context(s)" the use of material resources, cultural narratives, symbols, moral ideals, and religious beliefs" through which individual nationalist authenticators define themselves, their constituents, and their longing for self-rule. Focusing on Mahatma Gandhi's influential views on swaraj (self-rule; independence), Indian civilization, and ahimsa (non-violence), as formulated in his seminal work Hind Swaraj (Indian Home-Rule), this chapter seeks to identify and account for various instrumentalist, ethno-symbolic, and psychological aspects that give his nationalist discourse its unique gestalt and power.