Middle class has historically exhibited higher internal complexity and greater regional volatility and has been highly vulnerable to changes in business cycles. It is commonly believed that middle-class status is most reliably associated with business people, even though it can also refer to a variety of other groups, such as civil servants and other intellectuals (Cole & Symes, 2020, 567). According to the philosophy of nationalism, a country comprises people who share a similar identity, language, history, and customs (Cole & Symes, 2020, 578). Nationalists believe that people should work together to advance their nation, protect it, and enlarge its boundaries and culture.
These two pieces perfectly combine in a character that will be described in this essay. I am French merchant living with my family and aspire to the ideals of the French Revolution and its repercussions. Nationalism gained me a new sense of identity because of its growth, which also strengthened nation-state competition. Moreover, I am a fervent advocate of France and its dominance of intellectual thought in Europe. However, I had to encounter several issues specific to middle-class nationalism during the period. As demonstrated by my background, communalism is one of the main barriers to national unity. Many groups and political parties are battling to utilize the benefits of independence to further their own agendas while disregarding the needs of society as a whole (Cole & Symes, 2020, 599). Regionalism, which also stands in the way of national integration, is another challenge for me. A rivalry develops because of the country’s partition into several states, regions, and individual states. My standing as a merchant is also impacted, which harms both my business and my aspirations of the middle class. Lastly, I have to deal with issues of religious bias, which are the root of division and potential war. Being a staunch nationalist, I believe in a secular lifestyle.
Reference
Cole, J. and Symes, C. L., 2020. Western Civilizations. Vol. 2. New York: W. W. NORTON & COMPANY.