National Concept Research Articles

Biotechnological sovereignty is not a mere nationalist concept, it is a necessity for Colombia and Latin America.

During the pandemic, Latin American countries suffered the collapse of their health systems. This was caused by the high demand for care of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, which was added to the care of patients with other diseases. The significant increase in demand for health services caused medical and laboratory supplies to decline rapidly. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated a health crisis in several developing countries, mainly caused by insufficient systematic policies for integrating scientific knowledge. The current Colombian government must formulate a Biotechnological or Biosecurity Sovereignty Law that guarantees scientific autonomy, ensuring that Colombia is self-sufficient in Science, Technology, and Innovation. Colombian government should also focus on establishing and developing pharmaceutical chemical production by acquiring active chemical ingredients from other countries. This strategy could reduce the production costs and final prices of medicines, as well as generate high-level employment and wealth for the country. In this way, the Colombian government could prevent shortage of essential medicines and excessive price increases by commercial intermediation. In conclusion, the manuscript focuses on the lack of biotechnological sovereignty in Colombia. We propose a model of a Latin American Science and Technology ecosystem to achieve biotechnological sovereignty via state funding of research, strengthening universities, and fostering participation among private companies and Ministries of Science, Education, Trade, and Health. Scientific autonomy based on innovative processes that strengthen biotechnological independence can contribute to the economy by generating gross added value, creating high-quality employment, and facilitating the appropriation and social dissemination of knowledge, and cost reduction.

Democratic governance in the context of public administration concept. Historical and theoretical analysis

The article substantiates and studies the coverage of key parameters of democratic governance in the context of the public administration concept. The conceptual and categorical apparatus of the science of state administration are analyzed. An attempt is made to regulate the theoretical foundations of management processes of public administration. The place and essence of democratic governance processes in the system of public administration are determined. In the example of the political history of the United States, the origin and features of the functioning of key English-language terms used in the national concept of public administration are demonstrated. The use of new terminology in state administration as well as the theoretical approaches of domestic and foreign scholars who have studied this issue, are analysed. Statement of the problem. The development of such a branch of science as “state administration” requires expanding the boundaries of its scientific research and rethinking the subject area. The problem of forming a conceptual and categorical system is a key task for the development of the national science of state administration. Unlike the classical sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc.), the state administration is a complicated scientific complex of interdisciplinary cooperation of various social sciences and comprehension of practical experience in the implementation of state-building. In our opinion, this is the whole complexity of the formation and application of the conceptual and categorical apparatus. The globalization processes of the development of this science further complicate the use of state administration terminology. Therefore, the issues of mutual responsibility between the definitions of the basic concepts of state administration come to the fore. In addition, the process of globalization in the development of this science has complicated the use of national administrative terminology. Therefore, the question of mutual responsibility between the definitions of the main concepts of public administration arose. Public administration is a complex process that expresses the practical, organizational, and regulatory influence of the state on the public life of the people, which aims to organize, preserve, or change public life and is based on its power.

ЕТАПИ РЕАЛІЗАЦІЇ ПОЛІТИКИ ПАМ’ЯТІ В УКРАЇНІ (1991–2023 РР.)

The aim of this article is to analyse and highlight the peculiarities of the process of forming national memory in Ukraine in 1991–2023. To clarify the peculiarities, place and role of historical memory in the policy of the presidents of independent Ukraine in the context of memory policy formation, describing the main trends in its development, namely the measures implemented at the legislative, national and socio-cultural levels. The novelty of this article is a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of the memory policy at each of the identified stages, reflecting the transformations that took place at different levels. Conclusions. The article identifies the main stages of the implementation of memory policy in independent Ukraine (1991–1994, 1994–2004, 2005–2010, 2010–2013, 2014–2019, and from 2019 to the present). The main changes in the implementation of memory policy by each president of independent Ukraine are described. Sources and information from periodicals, websites of institutions, including the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, legislative documents, namely presidential decrees and decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as works of previous researchers of memory policy in Ukraine, who published a number of works on each period, are analysed. It is determined that each stage of the implementation of memory policy in the country was marked by changes in the state policy. The first years of independence are characterised by the nationalisation of memory, with a clear separation of the Ukrainian people’s history from the Soviet one. The period of 1994–2004 is characterised by a combination of the national concept and Soviet remnants; from 2005 to 2010, there was an active development of national history and culture, popularisation and active research of previously silenced topics. The period of 2010–2013 was a departure from the national vector of memory policy, but since 2014 and until now, the state memory policy has been characterised by decommunisation, popularisation and development of national history and culture, including in the context of the information war with Russia.

ФОРМУВАННЯ ДЕРЖАВНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ РОЗВИТКУ СІЛЬСЬКИХ ТЕРИТОРІЙ

The article examines the role of state regulation in the development of rural areas. It is determined that the balance of rural development depends on many factors and requires the application of many conceptual approaches to determining the directions of formation of a comfortable living environment for the populationEnsuring the successful implementation of the developed methods of supporting the development of rural areas of Ukraine relies on the legislative framework and the formation of the necessary resources. The specifics of the concept of sustainable rural development in Ukraine are as follows focusing primarily on the development of the agricultural sector. In addition, it is important to assess the problems and opportunities for rural development from the standpoint of agro-landscape, natural and geographical, organizational, economic, social and ethnic support of the object and to determine the specifics of all types of activities in this area. The formation of the instrumentarium of the state policy of sustainable development of rural areas for the period before the war in the Kharkiv region was based on the national concept of economic development of Ukraine. The war, which has been going on in Ukraine since February 2022, has made significant changes to the formation of the regional development strategy, as the implementation of its pre-war provisions is becoming impossible. In accordance with the martial law, the regulatory framework reflected in the regulatory documents that adjust the state strategy for the development of rural areas. State regulation in such conditions requires a more flexible approach to solving multilevel tasks of protection, restoration and search for opportunities for the country's development in the future. It is noted that in the current conditions of warfare on the territory of Ukraine, it is very important to substantiate and use various approaches to ensure the preservation and further creation of conditions for sustainable development of rural areas. Solving this problem will be one of the main areas of state support and implementation of targeted state programs and strategies aimed at developing the infrastructure of rural areas of Ukraine with a view to reviving the national economy.

Spiritual Nationalism: Unraveling Aurobindo Ghosh's Influence on Indian Freedom Struggle

Aurobindo Ghosh the great Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, poet, philosopher and political leader focused on the combination of spirituality and nationalism, stressing the idea that political freedom can be achieved only in a spiritually awakened society. He emphasized on the notion that mere political independence cannot make a nation free in a real sense and it is only because of spiritual renaissance that can develop a nation. Aurobindo believed in the philosophy of ‘integral nationalism’ which is a combination of political, cultural and spiritual dimensions of a nation in which an individual acts as a whole. Therefore, the present study will explore the concept of spiritual nationalism as developed by Aurobindo Ghosh. While delving into Ghosh’s philosophical and spiritual ideas, this study seeks to unravel how his thoughts shaped the Indian national movement. This study also focused on Ghosh's role in shaping the ideological dimension of the Indian freedom struggle against British colonial rule. The present study highlights the role played by Ghosh in the Indian freedom struggle in which the main tool was spiritual nationalism. The paper begins by delving into the life and works of Aurobindo Ghosh, emphasizing his spiritual philosophy and its integration into the nationalist discourse. It also provides a historical context for the emergence of spiritual nationalism within the Indian National Movement, highlighting the socio-political conditions of the time. This paper primarily focuses on the political ideas of Ghosh and his contribution in the Indian Freedom Struggle with the lens of spiritual nationalism.

Fostering Nationalism among University Students in Indonesia: A Communal Perspective

This study’s primary aim is to investigate globalization’s impact on nationalism in Indonesia, specifically focusing on the youth population. The research seeks to understand how globalization influences nationalist sentiments, particularly in the context of the Indonesian educational system. The chosen methodology centers around implementing a Civic Education learning model, aiming to activate and enhance nationalism values among students. The research employs a structured approach, utilizing a test on nationalism knowledge administered before and after implementing the Civic Education learning model. This method allows for a comprehensive assessment of the potential impact of the learning model on students’ understanding of nationalism. The analysis involves measuring the mean score difference between pre-test and post-tests, employing statistical calculations such as mean difference, the standard deviation of the difference, the standard error of the mean difference, and calculated t-values. Additionally, behavioral-scale tests are conducted to evaluate the mean score difference in students’ nationalism behavior. Quantitative calculations and analyses are employed to substantiate the research hypothesis. The statistical findings indicate a significant influence of the Civic Education learning model on students’ knowledge of nationalism and behavior. The mean score differences before and after the model’s implementation and the calculated t-values provide robust evidence of the positive impact on students’ nationalist sentiments. The study extends its contribution to pedagogy by demonstrating the efficacy of alternative teaching methods, specifically in Civic Education. The findings suggest that implementing the Civic Education learning model enhances practical application and holds promise in strengthening Indonesia’s global influence. The research aligns with established concepts of nationalism, emphasizing the actualization of patriotism through the collective development of clear national goals and objectives. The study aims to contribute meaningful insights to the ongoing discourse on nationalism in Indonesia, particularly among the youth.

Relationship between Chinese Men and Indigenous Women in Gowok (1929): Postcolonial Feminist Studies

This study aims to analyse how a Chinese-Indonesia descent male author represented indigenous women in Novel Gowok (1929). Gowok is a novel written by Liem Khing Hoo, depicting a relationship of race and gender under colonial discourse. To pursue the aim of this study, postcolonial feminist approach was used to reveal the quality of ideological and political relation under colonial discourse. The data collected were focussed on the relationship of women and race in this novel, the social group consciousness of the author, and colonial discourse. The results showed two points. First, the narrative of the indigenous women in this novel reflected the voice of Chinese-Indonesia descents from the moderate social group based on racial and gender relation. Second, the relationship of the indigenous women and the Chinese-Indonesia descents could be considered as political and ideological relation to realize tradition or culture nationalism concept in colonial contexts. In conclusion, this concept brings ambiguity characters.

The National Element in Polish Music of the Period of the Partitions – Symbolic Violence or Weaponised Culture?

This study presents the concept of nationality in Polish music during the partition period as an interaction of three basic conceptual categories and evolution of their perception. The first one is a modern concept of nation, covering all social strata, being formed since the beginning of the 19th century and developed in the period between the November and January Uprisings. Historians apply the concepts of Johann Georg Herder and Stanisław Staszic unifying the role of a language. The second category is Romanticism as an aesthetic and social challenge that underlines personality and subjectivity rather than ethnic or social origins; as a concept of deepest spirituality expressed in non-conceptual art of music. All the elements making up the concept of nationality drew their strength from the third category – historicism which took control over the culture and art of the century. Almost mythical vision of an ideal, historic homeland dominated music, to the highest degree the operas on Polish themes, and, on unprecedented scale, adaptations of the canon of the greatest Polish literature (Słowacki, Mickiewicz, Kraszewski, Sienkiewicz, Wyspiański). In spite of the emergence of Positivism, the Romantic motifs in Polish poetry and belletristic such as the need for sacrifice to save Poland did not vanish. Similarly, in the fine arts, especially in the 2nd half of the 19th century, a remarkable growth in historic painting was observed. ‘Not only a sword but also a book promised salvation’, writes Alina Witkowska.

Violence Against Ahmadiyya as Productive Intolerance: Adressing Jeremy Menchik’s Godly Nationalism

<p>This article examines godly nationalism using the theory of secularism. This connection is based on a shared "we-feeling" rooted in the common belief systems fostered by cooperation between the state and religious organizations (NU, Muhammadiyah, Persis). Jeremy Menchik argues that violence against Ahmadiyya should be viewed as "productive intolerance" rather than merely damaging democracy, as it is intended to protect this religious bond. The concept of godly nationalism has been criticized for neglecting religious freedom as a human right. This concept also overemphasizes macro-level data while failing to explain the local realities experienced by Ahmadiyya. The primary data for this research is Menchik's book titled "Islam and Democracy in Indonesia: Tolerance Without Liberalism,” then, it will be analyzed theoretically by borrowing Jose Casanova's secularism theory. This article found that the absence of secularism discourse throughout his work influenced his stance in understanding the nuances of religious intolerance in Indonesia. According to Menchik, Indonesia is viewed as a moderate country, but not in the form of binary opposition, as seen in the genealogy of secularism in the Western world, where religion is often positioned with certain negative prepositions.</p>

Nationalism in Political Advertisements: the 2018 Presidential Election Advertisements of the Nationalist Movement Party and Justice and Development Party

Political advertisements (ads) within political campaigns use a variety of topics, sounds, visuals, texts, and themes to impact voters positively. Therefore, political ads are crucial for political parties. Political advertising activities are linked to cultural elements (values, languages, myths, nations, beliefs, etc.). Culture is a social phenomenon that encompasses languages, religions, beliefs, myths, and values. Election campaigns often address nationalism. Political leaders act according to social values and beliefs to attract voters. Therefore, leaders or spokespersons of political parties collaborate with top agencies before elections to formulate compelling ads to touch voters’ emotional side. In this context, political ads touch on cultural elements. This study aims to explore the elements of nationalism used by the Nationalist Movement Party [Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi (MHP)] and the Justice and Development Party [Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AKP)] in their electoral ads and to determine which nationalist indicators and values they generally include. This study addressed the concepts of nationalism and political advertising and then analyzed the ads placed by the AKP and MHP during the presidential election of June 24, 2018. The study used semiotic analysis to examine the indicators of nationalism addressed by those ads.

THE CONCEPT OF THE NATIONAL HERO «QUONAKH» IN PAINTING AND GRAPHICS DURING THE CHECHEN CRISIS (90S OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY)

The paper is devoted to the research and study of the artistic interpretation of the concept of “Quonakh” (national hero) in Chechen painting and graphics in the 1990s.
 The novelty of the paper is the appeal to the origins of the concept of “Quonakh” in the works of Chechen artists, which found manifestation in certain historical conditions, respectively. The chronological scope of the study covers the period of the so-called “the First Chechen War” or the operation to restore constitutional order in Chechnya (1994-1996) and the post-war years (1996-1999). In the visual culture of this time, images of national leaders appear, carrying at this stage not so much an aesthetic, but an ideological load. Beybulat Taimiev, Zelimkhan Kharachoevsky, Baysangur Benoevsky and other heroes become, in a certain sense, symbols of Chechen culture and are still present in it to nowadays.
 Heroic images (in their close connection with the most important national concept), embodied in the interpretation of Chechen artists of the late 90s (XX century), are analyzed. The most professionally executed and deep in content works of Sultan Abaev, Kharon Isaev, Said Bitziraev, Khasan Sediev, which are characterized not only by a patriotic orientation, but also by a veiled form of perception of the atmosphere of modernity, were selected for the research.
 The purpose of this article is to identify and describe the structural and semantic features of the image-concept “Quonakh” and its reflection in professional national fine arts, which is very important in the context of not only Chechen, but also Russian culture. The methodology is based on art criticism, comparative and system-constructive analysis. The use of the historical-biographical method allows us to trace the influence of specific historical personalities on the process of creating a pictorial image.
 The conclusions of the study include the recapitulation about the possibilities of “artistic and figurative interpretation of philosophical concepts” that contribute to the creation of new artistic realities by transmitting feelings of heroism, patriotism, honor, using educational techniques based on the traditions of the Chechens/Nokhchiis. The image-concept “Quonakh” is one of the axiological dominants on which the existence of a distinctive ethnic culture is based. In fact, real “Chechenness”, as a property of the national character, is manifested by the presence in it of connections with the “Quonakhalla” code.

RHETORICAL IDEAL AND RHETORICAL IDENTITY. METHODS OF CREATING THE WORLD PICTURE IN ZHYRAU'S POETRY

The article deals with a topical problem - the study of cultural and national identity of Zhyrau poetry. The object of review is the techniques of creating the world picture. Attention is paid to the concepts of the rhetorical ideal and the rhetorical identity. The structure of the rhetorical ideal is analysed in its relation to the author's and national concept sphere. The national world picture is being studied from the position of cognitive methods of the poet's influence on the addressee. The systematisation of rhetorical arguments, strategies and techniques, rhetorical argumentative models is shown in the songs of Zhyrau - Shalkiyiz, Zhiyembet, Aktamberdy, Umbetey, Kaztugan, and Bukhar. Rhetorical word forms and statements have been analysed and their use in communication has been carried out. The scientific ideas of cultural memory have been developed to present a wide range of interpretations of the world in Zhyrau's poetry. The undertaken approach contributes to the understanding of the forms and ways of constructing cultural and national identity. By analysing the world picture in Zhyrau's poetry, it has been shown that the rhetorical ideal is built on the value ideas of the people about family, friendship and unity. The images of nature and the surrounding world explain the wide presence of antithesis, parallelism, and such units of rhetorical style as comparison, hyperbole, and epithets in the system of tropes. The presented experience contributes to the understanding of rhetorical identity and to the description of medieval Kazakh poetry in the aspect of identity.

Popnacjonalizm, czyli elementy dyskursu (re)konstrukcji amerykańskiego poczucia tożsamości narodowej w wybranych filmach hollywoodzkich

This article is dedicated to the idea of pop-nationalism and the connection between popular culture and how its productions (re)construct the American sense of national identity. The study is divided into subsections that delve into topics such as national identity in the current, fragmented social reality, the role of films in propagating American values during times of major socio-political crises, and the concept of banal nationalism according to Michael Billig. To analyze the elements of discourse, three films were chosen – Rocky IV (dir. Sylvester Stallone, 1985), Top Gun (dir. Tony Scott, 1986), and American Sniper (dir. Clint Eastwood, 2014). The research findings indicate that Hollywood films have a significant impact on building and reinforcing a sense of national pride and belonging in American society. Pop-nationalism is often used for entertainment purposes but also as a propaganda tool, especially during periods of international conflicts and political tensions.

STATE SUPPORT FOR THE ECONOMIC COOPERATION DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN UKRAINE, THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES AND THE EU

This comprehensive analysis discusses the reform of Ukraine's state administration, emphasizing the need to integrate global public management theories and practices, and the experiences of Eastern Partnership countries. It highlights the shift from state-centric to human-centric governance, focusing on efficiency, effectiveness, and citizen-oriented services. The document examines the challenges in implementing EU integration mechanisms like Twinning, TAIEX, and SIGMA in Ukraine. It underscores the importance of a unified coordination center for effective implementation and the need to align Ukrainian policies and practices with EU standards, highlighting the necessity for Ukraine to develop its own national concepts of management and public administration, integrating both national and international experiences. Keywords: economic cooperation, EU, Eastern Partnership, development, state support.

The Principle of Guaranteeing Effective Means of Legal Protection: European and National Concept

The relevance of the research is determined by the novelty of the topic, taking into account the Law of Ukraine "On Administrative Procedure". The purpose of the study is to characterize the category "guaranteeing effective legal remedies" in the national administrative legal doctrine, taking into account the European standards for the protection of the rights, freedoms and interests of the individual, and to determine the directions of research into the problems of challenging administrative acts in public administration. The research uses many methods, including general scientific and special legal ones: comparative legal, systemic structural, analysis, synthesis, and others, which makes it possible to systematically and consistently approach the solution of scientific problems, to investigate different positions of scientists, the provisions of legal acts and formulate appropriate conclusions. An analysis of the essence of the principle of guaranteeing effective legal remedies was carried out. Two components of the principle are distinguished: 1) the right of a person to appeal the decision, actions or inaction of an administrative body; 2) the duty of an administrative body to inform a person about the method, procedure and terms of filing a complaint against an administrative act that negatively affects his rights, freedom or legitimate interest. This opens the way for in-depth scientific understanding of this topic. In the process of analysis, a number of problematic moments related to the incorrect use of the provisions of this principle were revealed. It is emphasized that the implementation of the principle will affect: a) a change in the format of interaction between individuals and administrative bodies in the direction of raising the standards of such communication; b) reducing the burden on administrative courts, etc.On the basis of the conducted research, conclusions were formulated and recommendations were made, namely, that the principle of guaranteeing effective means of legal protection: 1) is based on EU standards, taking into account national specificities; 2) is an additional mechanism for the protection of persons; 3) is implemented mainly at the level of the institute of administrative appeal, which has certain advantages compared to judicial appeal. Therefore, in the context of the transformation of national legislation, there is a need to conduct additional research on the specifics of the implementation of this principle, taking into account the realities of today.

Nationality and the Right to Enter: Assessing the Impact of Refusal of Entry for the Purpose of Statelessness Determination

This article considers the legal situation of migrants, including rejected asylum seekers, who are unable to enter what was, until then, regarded as their country of nationality. This is because that country, without explicitly disputing their nationality, either prohibits their entry or de facto prevents them from entering its territory by failing to issue travel documents or respond to requests for consular assistance for organising return. By examining the conceptualisation of nationality in international law on the one hand, and the international legal definition of a stateless person on the other hand, the article argues that the right to enter the territory of one’s state is so essential to the concept of nationality that refusal of entry and denial of consular assistance for arranging return should be regarded as evidence that the state does not consider a person as its national. Based on this argument, the article further assesses the suitability of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ guidance on statelessness determination in cases of direct or indirect denial of entry. Ultimately, this contribution aims to clarify the scope of the international legal definition of a stateless person by strongly grounding its interpretation in the conceptualisation of nationality in international law.

O Estado brasileiro e as relações étnico-raciais no pensamento de Oliveira Vianna

The article investigates the thoughts of Francisco José de Oliveira Vianna (1883-1951) concerning the ethno-racial relations shaped by the Brazilian state. The study employs a historical analysis of scientific discourses within the field of law, grounded in the methodological foundations of the archaeology of knowledge and power. Vianna constructed a eugenic narrative, disseminated under the title "Evolução do povo brasileiro no Censo de 1920" (Evolution of the Brazilian People in the 1920 Census), reflecting an integrationist indigenous policy and a racist approach that steered the nation toward whitening. Examining Oliveira Vianna's theory remains crucial not only for critically revisiting the foundations of Brazilian political, legal, and social thought in its conservative and authoritarian aspects but also for understanding the normative concept of people or nation as something less naturalized.

OTHERTONGUES: MULTILINGUALISM, NATALITY AND EMPOWERMENT IN SHARON DODUA OTOO'S ADAS RAUM

ABSTRACTWritten in German by the Black British author and activist Sharon Dodua Otoo, the novel Adas Raum (2021) intervenes in contemporary debates on colonial legacies to forge ‘a critical multilingualism’ (Yildiz 2012), challenging master‐narratives and tropes of founding fathers which privilege linear constructions of time and bounded concepts of nation and peoples. This article examines how Otoo foregrounds diasporic female figures as material agents by focusing on ambivalent experiences of childbearing, then argues that the multilingual feminist text rejects dualistic heteropatriarchal models to reconceive community in terms of intersubjective encounters and shared spaces. To illuminate the politics of Otoo's structural concern with rebirth, I take up the concept of ‘natality’ developed in the writings of Hannah Arendt and Adriana Cavarero, which offers a model for imagining possibilities of political action that defy forms of domination. Black feminist thought further informs the ambivalent figuration of motherhood in Otoo's narrative and its central preoccupation with intertwined issues of gender, racial and class discrimination. Challenging the ethnocentricity that has been identified throughout Arendt's oeuvre, Otoo reveals instead how fifteenth‐century West African concepts of space and time can be understood as in dialogue with the post‐war philosopher's understanding of natality as the central category of political thought.

THE CONCEPT OF «ENGLISHNESS» AS A COMPONENT OF NATIONAL IDENTITY IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The article analyzes the concept of Englishness in the scientific studies of foreign and domestic researchers. Englishness is defined as a component of national identity. The concept of Englishness is studied from different approaches. At the social level, the intellectuals are responsible for the forms of Englishness embodiment, as they organize society in a ’modern’ way. The ethno-cultural approach forms the first ideas about the nature of the national, which are defined as primordial, so the organicist approach to the problems of the national forms the idea that the nation and national identity are phenomena given to the people “by nature”, they depend on the existence of the nation-state. The concept of national identity thus becomes the main component of the ethno-cultural approach. The modernist approach was developed in the mid-twentieth century. It emphasizes the political nature of the national, asserts that nations arise under certain social conditions and disappear over time, the era of nation-states is over, and changes in historical conditions lead to the transformation of nation-states into a cosmopolitan common state. The 80s and 90s of the twentieth century saw the emergence of the postmodern concept of the national, which, unlike the politically-centered approach of the previous theory, is culture-centered, and the nation is interpreted as an “invented” or “imaginary” concept. At the same time, it is not the desire to create a holistic concept of the nation that is important, but the study of various forms of marginalization and hybridization that characterize the modern “post-national” era. National communities are characterized by the following features: they engage in joint activities, which consist of interpreting differences, forming borders, searching for traditions, creating communities, and constructing interests. “Englishness” is separated from the concept of nationalism; its study touches upon the socio-cultural sphere; this type of research examines the peculiarities of national behavior and way of thinking.

Depoliticizing the Modern Nation

Taking the case of the interwar Yugoslav Sokol (Sokol Kraljevine Jugoslavije), this article examines the complex relationship between the discourses of organic nationhood and political socialization in what was the largest voluntary association in the country. While Sokol typically projected a vision of itself as an apolitical entity—as it claimed to represent the organic national body—this article will explore the dynamics, as well as contradictions, between such discourses and the socio-political reality they aimed to describe and eventually alter in their pursuit of improving the ‘national body.’ In conversation with scholarship on the conceptual history of modern East Central European nationalisms, including the social history of ideas and movements and political socialization more specifically, this article provides insight into the contextual, conceptual history of nationhood by focusing on selected thinkers engaged in Sokol, against the backdrop of particular mass practices and modes of political socialization in the organization. The tension between the involvement of the masses in the allegedly apolitical formations and the reality of subjecting them to political socialization en masse provides the central axis around which the argument is organized. The article concludes that their concept of nationhood was intimately intertwined with that of democracy and simultaneously posited against (party) politics and statism. Moreover, it demonstrates that Sokol was rooted in notions of civilizational hierarchies and directly linked to producing modern political subjects for the new Yugoslav state by means of the gymnastic and educational practices they promoted and conducted.