FLAGGING NATIONALISM: THE POWER OF FLAGS IN SOVEREIGN INCORPORATION & SEPARATISM

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Date

2024

Authors

Raver, Garrett

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

Flags have been globally recognized as a visual representation of sovereignty throughout the entire world. They are the visual embodiment of what Benedict Anderson called an “imagined community” as they serve as crucial markers of identity, as well as represent a nation’s history, ideals, and aspirations. Cases within this work will consist of the countries of Ukraine and India, respectively. There are two ways in which flags are used in a specific society. This thesis will look at these two areas: the top-down approach in which a larger state-led effort is trying to assimilate a group of people, and the second being a bottom-up approach in which communities create these symbols to show their difference from some other entity. This thesis will demonstrate that flags are calculated in their meaning and symbolism and within that, also show that flags are deeply meaningful to the communities that create and adopt them.

Description

44 pages

Keywords

Sovereignty, Independence, Flags, Nationalism, Vexillology

Citation