Blood and Belonging by Michael Ignatieff This article will explain the subject of the book and its relevance, discuss the methods and findings of Michael Ignatieff on the subject and will finally include a personal review of the book from the author of this article. The author of the book travels in what he calls “the six journeys.” During these “journeys” he encounters different cultures, as he travels to six different regions of the world. It examines the unique expression of nationalism that each population displays by interviewing various members of that particular society. The six regions he visits are specifically chosen for the clarity with which nationalism is expressed in society. Nationalism is a contributing factor to current and future instability in these regions. These areas are the former Yugoslavia (specifically Croatia and Serbia), Germany, Ukraine, Quebec, Kurdistan and Northern Ireland. According to Ignatieff, there is a desire in Croatia and Serbia for a distinct identity between the two nations. The fear of losing one's national identity has provoked ethnic hatred. A terror so strong and persistent that it caused people to be desperate and unable to do anything. This largely explains the reasons for the extreme violence that reigns there today. The author states: “A Croat is therefore someone who is not Serb. A Serb is someone who is not Croatian. This quote deeply expresses the short-sighted mentality present in their conflict. During his travels in Germany, the author highlights an important issue. Does the nation make the State, or the State the nation? This question by far does not end there, especially when it comes to Germany. The essence of the German people is considered by some to be aggressive and offensive, hence the existence of the German problem. If the nation makes the state, Germany will always be a threat. If the state makes the nation, then the aggressive nature of the German nation, which led the world into two world wars, can be harnessed and redirected. The question finds its roots and its answers in the recent reunification of Germany. Ukraine is afraid of not being Russian. It is here that Ignatieff receives a complete vision of what nationalism is. He says: “I understand what nationalism really is: the dream that an entire nation can be like a congregation; sing the same hymns, listen to the same gospel, share the same emotions, linked not only to each other but to the buried dead. under their feet." Quebec is a model that presents a possible future of the state system. Ignatieff uses the example of Quebec to illustrate the relationship between nationalism and federalism. He suggests that "if federalism fails in Canada, it may fail anywhere". If the balance between "ethnic and civil principles" is not maintained in Canada, which is not a poor country and whose economy is large and prosperous then perhaps the; modern world has not transcended the clutches of nationalism The Kurds represent a stateless nation, which finds itself surrounded by other more aggressive nationalist nations. The term Kurdistan is a definition of the areas used by Ignatieff to explain the area of ​​major concentration. of the Kurdish population There are no real borders, no flag, no government and Kurds must recognize the state in which they reside (i.e. Syria, Turkey, Turkey). Iran and Iraq), which is not Kurdistan. Finally, the sixth journey ends in Northern Ireland. He realizes that it is the ideal place to conclude his project. Northern Ireland presents a recurrence of the themes that seemed so predominant in the other journeys. In Ireland,ethnicity, religion and politics are all linked into a single expression or identity. These elements are also evident in the previous five studies. Is Michael Ignatieff's work relevant? The answer to this question is yes. The stakes are high. Nationalism presents itself as a phenomenon. The question of why people should maintain a cultural identity and how they go about preserving it remains unanswered. Increasingly unfathomable is the violence imbued with nationalist expressions, which are “necessary” by the parties involved. The very existence of the enigma created by nationalism requires us to delve deeper into the subject. The situations described in the book are not isolated events. Nationalism exists in every state in the world. There is a dichotomy presented by Ignatieff between nationalism and federalism. It explains the political doctrine of nationalism by stating "(1) that the people of the world are divided into nations, (2) that these nations should have the right to self-determination, and (3) that full self-determination requires a state." "Federalism, although not a particular ideology, is a means of sharing political power among different people within a state. The different systems of government that fall under the definition of federalism do not pose no problem to citizens; unless, of course, they are not entirely legitimate. If the government is illegitimate, then ideally nationalism steps in to demand a completely self-determined government, which provides adequate representation for its population. .Despite the diversity of a state's population, in theory, harmony is maintained since people are properly represented or controlled. This variable situation is experienced all over the world. States are dynamic, as are their governments. population If the dynamics of the government or the state do not keep pace with the changes within the population, then instability will increase in the name of nationalism and will shake the very foundations of the state if nothing is done about it. appease him. The method used by the author of the book consisted of personal interviews with personalities and ordinary people in the areas visited. He also uses descriptions about the surrounding areas to emphasize the point of discussion. His intention was to objectively take the reader on a walk through the areas he was visiting. Through his writing style, he allows the reader to participate in his interview by highlighting specific questions and answers that take place in his conversations. Finally, he created visual images that he considered ironic and analogical to support his observations. Ignatieff comes to the conclusion that nationalism is not the problem of this world. He goes on to say that when one loses one's individuality to become a "patriot", that is where the danger lies. Being yourself is something that ethnic nationalism does not allow. Political ideologies can become blinding to those who possess them. At the beginning of the book it is mentioned that he is liberal. Travel and experiences haven't changed that. He notes the importance of “liberal virtues – tolerance, compromise, reason,” but concludes with an observation about how these virtues clash with human nature. Ignatieff addresses the violence factor that surrounds nationalism like a plague, concluding that nationalist rhetoric is an excuse to commit acts of violence. He observed that most acts of violence are committed by young men aged 18 to 25. His explanation is that the liberal mentality forgets that not everyone hates violence. He also says that there exists among men a fundamental hatred of.53.