Task – ‘Open-source’ task. Theory – 10 point task – a ‘Open-source’ task. Find/identify main postulates of given great thinker/scholar [from Martin Griffiths

ernest gellner
Ernest Gellner was a British philosopher and social anthropologist who made significant contributions to the fields of nationalism, modernization, and the theory of social change. Some of the main postulates of Ernest Gellner are:

1. 
   The link between industrialization and nationalism: Gellner argues that the rise of nationalism is linked to the process of modernization and industrialization, as these processes create a new class of educated people who are less tied to traditional, local identities and more open to the idea of a common national identity.
   
2. 
   The creation of a cultural “high culture”: Gellner posits that modern states require a shared culture to sustain nationalism, which he calls a “high culture.” This culture must be accessible to the masses and serve as a unifying force for the nation.
   
3. 
   The role of education in creating a national identity: Gellner argues that modern states need a system of mass education to create and maintain a common national identity. Education helps create a shared culture and a sense of belonging to the nation, and it also prepares people for the demands of modern industrial society.
   

Three illustrations of events or cases in IR that demonstrate Gellner's postulates are:

1. 
   The formation of nation-states in Europe: The rise of nationalism in Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries can be seen as a demonstration of Gellner's theory, as the process of modernization and industrialization created a new class of educated people who were more open to the idea of a common national identity.
   
2. 
   The Yugoslavian crisis: The break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s can be seen as a demonstration of Gellner's theory, as the decline of a shared “high culture” led to a fragmentation of the country along ethnic and cultural lines.
   
3. 
   The Arab Spring: The events of the Arab Spring can be seen as a demonstration of Gellner's theory, as the rise of a new, educated class in many Arab countries led to demands for political reform and a rejection of traditional identities and forms of authority.