What is chauvinism? Examples of chauvinism in the modern world. Chauvinism in the modern world

Our contemporaries often use "chauvinism" as a synonym for the words "nationalism" and "patriotism". Are they wrong? We will answer this question by telling where the term came from and what it means.

Chauvinism: definition and concept

Chauvinism is a worldview based on the allocation of an exclusive, that is, the main, nation, whose interests are placed above other ethnic groups. Chauvinism underlies the idea of colonization, when the dominant nation enslaved and exploited other peoples, opposing themselves to them and putting their interests above others.

Let us recall the colonial policy of England, which resulted in the formation of the largest state in the history of mankind - the British Empire, which had colonies on all continents. The subjugation of peoples whom the British considered to be at the lowest stage of development - Hindus, Algerians, Indians, etc. - is a manifestation of chauvinism. Moreover, in this case, great-power chauvinism took place, as a result of which one nation deprived other peoples of the right to state sovereignty.

At the end of the 19th century, the ambitions of the British, striving for dominance on the continent, caused a second surge of chauvinistic sentiments. The extreme English chauvinism, which has been present since then in British politics and society, was called jingoism, after the word "jingo" - the people endowed such a nickname with ardent champions of the idea of the superiority of the British nation.

History of the term

The concept of chauvinism came to us from the French language. Investigating the origin of the word, scientists came to the conclusion that the term was based on the surname of the 19th-century vaudeville hero Nicolas Chauvin, a soldier in the army of Bonaparte. Historians cannot find documentary evidence of the existence of this person; he is known only from literary works. The writers of that time claimed that their character was written off from a real person who, before fanaticism, was devoted to Napoleon and zealously supported the idea of imperial nationalism.

Being a volunteer and joining the ranks of the French army at the age of 18, Chauvin received seventeen wounds and only 200 francs of a pension, which, however, did not shake the soldier's loyalty to his emperor. Blind admiration of Chauvin before Napoleon began to be called chauvinism. Later, the semantics of the term underwent changes, acquiring a modern meaning: today this is how national swagger and superiority are called.

Nationalism and chauvinism: what's the difference?

Chauvinism is an extreme example of nationalism. Consider the differences between these concepts in practice. The inhabitants of Scotland, which is part of the United Kingdom, have been fighting for sovereignty for centuries, defending the right of their nation to self-determination. Before us is an example of the manifestation of nationalism. But the actions of the British, who considered themselves the dominant nation and assert themselves through discrimination of the rights of the peoples of Scotland and Ireland, can be regarded as chauvinism.

In other words, nationalism implies the desire of a nation to protect its sovereignty, cultural and spiritual heritage. Chauvinism is called aggressive national dominance, achieved through the infringement of the rights and freedoms of other peoples.

Great Russian chauvinism

Great Russian chauvinism, also called great-power chauvinism, existed both in the Russian Empire and in the Soviet Union, and its manifestations remained in the Russian Federation. During the period of monarchical rule in Russia, the Russian nation played the leading role: the main cash flows flowed into Central Russia, the countries that were part of the empire were, in fact, its appendages that did not have the right to vote.

In the Soviet Union, Russian chauvinism was opposed to internationalism. However, only in words. In fact, the ideologists of socialism elevated the Russian people to the rank of "elder brother", thereby assigning them a leading role in the life of the state and leaving the rest of the nationalities to stand one step lower.

Russian chauvinism still exists today. Today, this ideology has been adopted by many public organizations and political parties. Among them are skinheads, the order "Great Russia", the Russian National Patriotic Movement, the National Socialist Initiative OD, the Russian National Unity OOPD, the People's National Party.

Gender chauvinism

Gender chauvinism, which is also called sexism, is a worldview based on the principle of gender discrimination. This kind of chauvinism has nothing to do with politics, but is no less relevant than national chauvinism.

Machismo

A chauvinist man emphasizes his superiority over a woman by his actions and behavior.

The woman is given the role of a housewife, whose duties include serving her husband and raising children. There is a rule: "The word is not given to Baba."
Adultery for a man is the norm, but the presence of lovers in a woman is condemned.
A man should dominate everything: occupy leadership positions, determine the fate of the state, have a final say in the family. A woman is content with the role of a subordinate, she is paid less, even if she occupies a position equivalent to a man, and there are only a few representatives of the weak half of humanity in government bodies.

In opposition to male chauvinism, feminism arose - a movement for equal rights for women and men. However, in addition to it, there is another phenomenon of sexism - female chauvinism.

Female chauvinism

Men claim that their rights are also infringed, and women in some cases are in a more advantageous position compared to the stronger sex. The descendants of Adam see the discrimination of their rights in:

different retirement ages. Women have the right to retire earlier, and men want the same;

the need to serve in the draft army. Why should the defense of the Motherland be only our duty, the great-great-great-grandchildren of Russian heroes ask;

the right of women to decide whether or not to have an abortion;

established lower rates of physical activity for women, especially pregnant women. Why shouldn't the expectant mother work on an equal footing with a male colleague? Or maybe the men who have a beer belly weighing 15 kg should be transferred to a shorter working day?

the need to take off their hats when women remain in headscarves and hats. For example, in a church, theater, during the performance of a hymn.

Chauvinism, regardless of the sphere of manifestation, is a negative phenomenon, generated by the eternal desire of a person to suppress and rule, but this can lead to a third world war. Therefore, you need to be wiser, not being led by your desires and ambitions, but making decisions that your descendants will not have to pay for.

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Chauvinism - what is it?

The history of the term "chauvinism" originates in France during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte. The soldier Nicolas Chauvin de Rochefort remained a devoted supporter of his emperor to the very end. The name became a household name, transformed into a term. Chauvinism in its basic meaning is an ideological concept that is based on the conviction of the superiority of one nation over another. Aggressive policy, pressure are the methods used by supporters of chauvinism to incite ethnic hatred.

Who are the chauvinists? Unlike nationalism, where "all peoples are equal", chauvinists see their nation endowed with special, exclusive powers and rights. Fascism is one of the terrible manifestations of chauvinism, a crime against all mankind. The result is the death of millions of people of different nationalities, large-scale destruction of cultural and material heritage.

Chauvinism - psychology

The concept of chauvinism is used by psychologists of different trends. The psychotraumatic experience of upbringing, based on suppression, lays in the child further self-affirmation in negative ways. The result of a destructive relationship between father and mother (beatings, humiliation) the boy can learn and carry this program further into his future family. What is "male chauvinism" is clearly seen in the eastern countries, where initially education is built on male superiority over women.

Chauvinism and xenophobia - differences

Basically, both phenomena, chauvinism and xenophobia, contain an affective component - (hatred, hostility, contempt). Xenophobia - a broader concept - is a person's fear of losing, dissolving their ethnicity. The paranoid fear of xenophobes is extended to everything alien: nations, races, culture, religion. Chauvinism is a form of xenophobia that aggressively and forcibly opposes the interests of one's own nation to the detriment of others.

Signs of chauvinism

In modern society, open discriminatory manifestations are illegal and criminally punishable. Political currents based on chauvinistic tendencies will never lead to mutual understanding, openness, peace between peoples, and therefore will not enjoy the support of the majority of people. The consequences are devastating: war, genocide. In individual form, chauvinism is present as a "belief system", mainly among men. Signs of a chauvinist:

a male chauvinist is actively "fighting" against chauvinism, blaming others besides himself for it;
considers himself free from nationalist prejudices;
exaggerates the "greatness", "otherness", "interestingness" of his people;
raises the temperament of his nation;
believes that all peoples "a priori" should love, admire his nation, is offended when he meets indifference;
accurately notices the shortcomings of other ethnic groups, but does not know the real advantages and features of his people.

Types of chauvinism

If we consider for clarity a specific example from history, then in Russia in the XIX - XX centuries. “Great-power chauvinism” - an expression denoting the master's attitude of the empire towards other peoples, with the advent of the Bolsheviks, was opposed to nationalism and began to be forced out as a dangerous ideology, but as social chauvinism exists in third world countries. To date, defining what chauvinism is in other social and public categories, experts distinguish several varieties:

religious (confessional);
domestic;
racial;
age chauvinism;
gender;
language.

Gender chauvinism

Regardless of the sphere of manifestation, chauvinism is based on the suppression and domination of some over others, infringement, inequality of rights. A worldview built on gender discrimination is called gender or sexual chauvinism. The difference in the natural essence between a man and a woman creates inequality in political, economic and social manifestations - such is the ideology of sexism. They play a key role in maintaining sexual chauvinism.

Machismo

Men can feel tender feelings, sympathy for women, but at the same time not consider them equal to themselves, partly the reason lies in psychological differences. Male chauvinism is a term (another name is sexism) coined by American feminists. The writer N. Shmelev considered male chauvinism an integral part of a man. Without realizing it, a man at any moment can tell a joke about a “stupid woman” or an “evil mother-in-law”.

Characteristic manifestations of male chauvinism:

the word of a man is the law for a woman;
the man is the head of the family;
reason, logic and mind - the difference between a man and a woman, in which only feelings prevail;
a man is always right;
for a man - the appearance of a mistress is encouraged, for a woman - this is a censure by society

Female chauvinism

At the end of the XVIII century. women in European countries began to declare their equality with men. The phrase of the American suffragist Abigail Smith Adams: "We will not be subject to laws in the adoption of which we did not participate, and authorities that do not represent our interests" went down in history. Feminism is an ideological trend that has been gaining strength and scope for several centuries. During this time, women managed to achieve equal rights with men:

hold leadership positions;
suffrage;
army service;
choice of any profession;
free choice of sexual partners.

All this helped women to gain a foothold in society, to become useful and influential. Female chauvinism is a relatively recent concept. Unlike feminists who recognize the rights of men and strive for equal rights with them, chauvinists devalue the role of men and emphasize their superiority. Men say that women also infringe on their rights, see discrimination in the following:

early retirement age compared to men;
lower rates of physical activity;
the need to remove hats in the theater, church - a woman does not need to do this;
The decision to terminate a pregnancy can be made by the woman herself.

Chauvinism in the modern world

To protect their traditions, way of life, religion, language, music is a normal desire of people of any nationality. A high level of moral and spiritual development helps to see the benefits and beauty of the entire diversity of world cultural heritage. Cultural chauvinism promotes its heritage as the only and superior to other cultures - it impoverishes.

Chauvinism in the Bible

What is modern chauvinism? There is no consensus among sociologists and other specialists. The origins of this phenomenon come from the depths of centuries. Male chauvinism in Christianity is based on the legend of the creation of the world. God created Adam first, from a rib he created Eve for him - as a consolation. Expulsion from Paradise occurs through the fault of Eve, who tasted (succumbed to the temptation of the snake) an apple - the fruit of knowledge. "All troubles from a woman!" - this stereotype has not become obsolete in our days.

Male preaching of sexual exclusivity and superiority is based on certain psychological stereotypes. Male chauvinism is based on the social inequality of a woman with a man. Many people know the formula: "All women are fools and their place is in the kitchen." Time sets accents and priorities, dictates new rules of the "game". Is a man always right and what does a woman echo him in response to?

What is chauvinism?

Chauvinism (fr. chauvinisme) got its name from the semi-mythical soldier of the Napoleonic army, Nicolas Chauvin. During the period of the Bourbon Restoration (1814-1830), Chauvin was an ardent supporter of Bonapartism, despite the unpopularity of this party at that time. The soldier wore a violet flower in his lapel as a sign of devotion to the deposed emperor. According to legend, Nikola remained loyal to Napoleon despite persecution, poverty and insults. Chauvin propagated that all the best and good that is in the world is associated with the name of Bonaparte and France.

The term "chauvinism" began to be used as a common noun since 1843, after the satirical treatment of the myth of Chauvin in the comedy Theodore and Hippolyte Cognard "The Tricolor Cockade" (1831). Chauvinism in the modern sense is the ideology and policy of aggressive nationalism, the preaching of national exclusivity and superiority.

Features of male chauvinism

Male chauvinism is based on the following postulates:

A man is always right by birth;
A man is more important, more necessary and smarter than a woman, since male logic is built on reason, not on feelings;
What is due to a man is forbidden to a woman;
The word of a man is the law for a woman.

The origins of this phenomenon can be traced in religious teachings. The Bible contains a legend about the creation of the world: God first created Adam, and only then from his rib - Eve. A woman was born for the comforts of a man, so that he would not be bored. And the “original sin” was committed not by Adam, but by Eve, picking an apple from the tree of knowledge.

Logically, gender differences exist between men and women: nature has a certain role for women in bearing and giving birth to offspring, which men are deprived of. Objective biological differences lead to the fact that in many areas of life men occupy a higher position. Sports achievements of men and women are strikingly different, there are much more men in high political and clergy positions than women, men's achievements in science, literature and art are more significant than women's.

As a rule, chauvinism arises as a result of serious psychological trauma received at an early age. In many cases, chauvinism is naturally formed on the basis of a man's homosexual orientation or is brought up in the family.

A girl from a young age is prepared for the social role of a wife and mother, a boy - for the role of a protector, breadwinner, head of the family. Male chauvinism is especially widespread in the countries of the East, where a woman does not have equal rights with a man.

female response

Women in modern conditions are rebuffing male chauvinism, advocating gender equality. Feminism- women's movement for equality of rights and opportunities, arose during the "high Middle Ages". The word "feminism" first began to be used with the light hand of the utopian socialist Charles Fourier at the end of the 18th century, who believed that "the social position of women is a measure of social progress."

However, the female response to male chauvinism is not fundamentally contemptuous of members of the other sex, race, or nationality. Feminists stand up for equality, not seeking to deprive men of any privileges, to humiliate or insult the strong half of humanity.

The meaning of a woman's life has not been reduced to the formula "children - kitchen - church" for a long time, but gender equality in the mass consciousness does not exist even in the civilized world.

Interesting Facts

Throughout Asia, there are now many more men than women: in India and China, the world's two giants in terms of population, there is an acute shortage of the female part of society. This gender imbalance was the result of the traditional preference for having children of boys and the selective abortion of girls, made possible in the early 1980s with the advent of ultrasound. Male chauvinism is so rooted in the East that a family is not considered complete if there is no heir in it.

The shortage of women is particularly severe in India, China, South Korea, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, where there are at least one hundred and eight boys for every 100 girls. Asian countries are taking urgent action by providing social assistance to families where girls are born, but time is lost: by 2030, more than twenty million women aged 20 to 50 will be missed in China and India.

Male chauvinism turned against the strong half of humanity.

In the United States in the 1980s, the term "glass ceiling" was coined, metaphorically referring to an invisible barrier that limits women's career advancement. Women face such an obstacle, regardless of professional qualities, only as representatives of a social group. 95% of top managers of large companies are men, while most of the employees are women.

If a woman had not given birth to a man, nursed him, raised him, educated him, who would he be today? If the absolute masculine principle, which is not in harmony with the feminine, begins to dominate in the modern world, where will such a society go?

Finding a common language, understanding and accepting each other as people were born, without comparing, without opposing, is the key to true love and a sign of a high development of the individual and society.

11Oct

What is Chauvinism

Chauvinism is a term traditionally used to denote an extreme bias towards a cause or belief in spite of more reasonable or alternative points of view. Initially, the term was applied to political opinions or beliefs, but over time, it has also been used in combination with other ideas.

What is chauvinism - meaning, definition in simple words.

In simple terms, chauvinism is some form of rejection or intolerance towards people who belong to a different group or share a different idea. In some way, chauvinism includes various forms and other forms of intolerance.

Etymology (origin) of the term.

The term comes from the French word "chauvinisme", which most likely comes from a man named Nicholas Chauvin. Chauvin is said to have been a loyal soldier in Napoleon Bonaparte's army and, even after numerous injuries, remained fiercely loyal to Bonaparte even after his defeat. Although there is historical documentation that confirms the existence of a real person, he only became famous after being included in various songs and performances. Chauvin has been used as a figure to represent an undying, illogical bigotry towards one's nation and beliefs.

Chauvinism - examples, types.

In most sources, it is customary to refer as an example to national chauvinism, that is, to the idea of the superiority of one nation over others. But beyond that, there are many other great examples. It could be:

Racial chauvinism- in this case, intolerance is directed at certain races, the ideas they promote, the policies they pursue, and so on;
Religious chauvinism- as is clear from the context, in this case, "aggression" is directed at people professing a different religion. In addition, their religion is not recognized as a religion at all. It is criticized and persecuted as a false religion or heresy;
Sexual (gender) chauvinism- this paragraph should include the relationship between men and women, namely the aspect of humiliation of one sex by representatives of the other. The most striking example is the "male chauvinism" common in some Arab countries. It is no secret that in these countries women are not considered equal to men and are forced to obey various rules and restrictions.

Machismo.

The term "male chauvinism" became popular during the efforts of feminists and equal rights for men and women during the 20th century. Chauvinists are commonly referred to as those men who believe that men are superior to women, whether mentally, physically or in any other way. The term has been used so often that many people have come to associate "chauvinism" as a synonym for "male chauvinism" and often mistakenly assume that any chauvinistic views are inherently sexist or misogynistic.

Categories: , // from

The interests of one nation, the interest of all others nations, distribution nat. swagger, incitement nat. enmity and hatred. The term "Sh." appeared in France [in 1831 in the comedy of the brothers I. and T. Cognard "The Tricolor Cockade" ("La cocarde tricolore") one of the heroes was the aggressively militant recruit Nikola Chauvin; it is believed that the prototype of this character was real - a veteran of the Napoleonic wars N. Chauvin (N. Chauvin), brought up in the spirit of admiration for the emperor - the creator of the "greatness" of France]. The word "Sh." began to denote various manifestations of nationalistic. extremism. In the UK, Sh. received con. 70s gg. 19 V. special name - jingoism.

Opportunist, flow in intl. socialist. movement, whose representatives spoke during the 1st World War in support of chauvinistic. policy of the bourgeoisie of their countries, received social chauvinism.

A variety of sh. - great-power sh. - and the policy of the ruling classes of the nation, which occupies the dominant (sovereign) position in the state, declaring their nation a "superior" nation. Great-power Sh. directed to enslave others nations, their discrimination in the economic, political. and cultural life. The most extreme Sh. is misanthropic. ideology and fash. states.

The Marxist-Leninist parties have always considered one of the most important tasks to be the struggle against all varieties of the ideology of Switzerland and its non-supporters.

Philosophical encyclopedic dictionary. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. Ch. editors: L. F. Ilyichev, P. N. Fedoseev, S. M. Kovalev, V. G. Panov. 1983 .

CHAUVINISM

Chauvinism is a transformed form of national consciousness, one of the forms of heteronomy and xenophobia, hostility and even hatred towards strangers, atavistic, biologically based rejection of foreigners, heterodoxes, all bodily, color, cultural, national, linguistic differences, up to alien customs, costumes and etc. according to the principle “not like this - alien - alien - enemy”. The term “chauvinism” comes from the name of the fanatical Bonapartist N. Chauvin, a soldier of the Napoleonic army, whose grotesque became a household name thanks to the comedy of the Cognard brothers “The Tricolor Cockade, an episode of the war in Algiers” (1831). Subsequently, "chauvinism" became the international designation for extreme, fanatical nationalism bordering on racism. Modern chauvinism can have mass prejudices, up to the ideology of extreme right political currents. Chauvinism is especially dangerous if it becomes de facto or de jure the ideology of any ruling party or state policy (Germany in the 1930s and 1940s).

I. I. Kravchenko

New Philosophical Encyclopedia: In 4 vols. M.: Thought. Edited by V. S. Stepin. 2001 .

Synonyms:

See what "CHAUVINISM" is in other dictionaries:

- (French from sob. named after Chauvin, a French soldier, an exalted supporter of Napoleon and the empire). At first it signified every boundless admiration for Napoleon after 1815, then in general political self-delusion, self-adoration. Dictionary… … Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

- (French chauvinisme) a kind of nationalist policy, the content of which is the spread of hatred and enmity towards other nations and nationalities. The main provisions of the political ideology of chauvinism are: approval ... ... Political science. Dictionary.

Cm … Synonym dictionary

Chauvinism, chauvinism, pl. no, husband. (polit.). Extreme nationalism, preaching hatred, contempt for other peoples and inciting national enmity. "... Chauvinism, both in white gloves and with the most sophisticated turns of speech, is disgusting." Lenin... ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov

chauvinism- a, m. chauvinisme Chauvin Proper name fr. soldier N. Chauvin, a supporter of the aggressive policy of Napoleon. 1. Initially, it meant any boundless surprise fed to Napoleon after 1815, then generally political ... ... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

The primary source was popular prints (“pictures from Epinal”) on military topics, the author of which was the French artist Nicolas Toussaint Charlet. The constant hero of these pictures is the brave soldier Sho wen. Later, the same popular hero became the main ... ... Dictionary of winged words and expressions

- (French chauvinisme), an extreme aggressive form of nationalism ... Modern Encyclopedia

- (French chauvinisme, in the English version jingoism) the most odious form of nationalism, the proclamation of national exclusiveness, the opposition of the interests of one ethnic group (or superethnos) to the interests of all other ethnic groups, the dissemination of ideas ... ... The latest philosophical dictionary

CHAUVINISM, husband. Extreme nationalism, preaching national and racial exclusivity and inciting national enmity and hatred. | adj. chauvinistic, oh, oh. Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov

Neologism, which received the rights of citizenship in the French language, after it in other European languages. Under Sh. is understood a stormy patriotic mood of a militant nature, supported by a heated fantasy and based on a blind ... ... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

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