In The Integrative Revolution: Primordial Sentiments and Civil Politics in the New States, Clifford Geertz explores the tensions between primordial identities—such as ethnicity, language, religion, and kinship—and the development of modern civic politics in newly independent nations. He argues that nationalism alone is insufficient for state cohesion; instead, post-colonial societies must navigate the challenge of integrating deeply entrenched local identities into the broader national framework.
Geertz critiques the assumption that modernization naturally leads to the erosion of primordial ties. He suggests that political modernization does not suppress these identities but often amplifies them, as people seek stability in their most immediate and familiar social groups during periods of change. In many post-colonial states, ethnic and religious groups—previously united under colonial rule—have reasserted their distinctiveness, often clashing with efforts to build a cohesive national identity. This has led to persistent conflicts over language policies, resource distribution, political representation, and regional autonomy.
A key concept in this chapter is the "clash between primordial and civic loyalties." In many newly independent nations, people feel allegiance to their ethnic or religious group before they feel loyalty to the state. This complicates the development of national unity, as the civic structures of governance often appear as artificial or imposed, particularly when dominated by one ethnic or religious faction. Geertz highlights how this dynamic plays out differently in various regions:
- In India, linguistic and religious divisions have continuously challenged national unity despite constitutional efforts to manage diversity.
- In Indonesia, ethnic and regional tensions between Java and the outer islands have fueled separatist movements.
- In Nigeria, tribal identities have significantly influenced political competition and governance structures.
Geertz also examines the strategies used by new states to manage primordial tensions. He discusses the use of federalism, territorial reorganization, state-led nationalism, and institutional compromises as ways to balance these competing forces. However, he notes that these efforts are often fragile, as primordial sentiments remain deeply embedded in social and political life.
The chapter concludes with the argument that the "integrative revolution"—the process of transforming fragmented societies into unified political entities—is an ongoing struggle. Instead of expecting primordial identities to fade, Geertz emphasizes the need to understand how they interact with modern governance. Rather than seeing these identities as obstacles to progress, he suggests that political structures should be designed to incorporate them into a functioning civil order.
Ultimately, Geertz provides a nuanced view of nationalism and state-building, showing that the modern nation-state is not a replacement for local identities but must find ways to accommodate them within a broader political framework.
