Communication State, Absent Nation

In: Canadian review of studies in nationalism: Revue canadienne des études sur le nationalisme, Band 30, Heft 1-2, S. 47-52

Abstract

An examination of current government efforts to develop a techno-nationalism in Canada describes the Community Access Program designed to "make Canadians the most Internet-connected people in the world." Internet access is seen as a vital step toward making Canada a competitive nation-state. The term "technological nationalism" introduced by Maurice Charland's (1986) is described along with two competing versions of technological nationalism: the communication state & the absent state. The premise of the communication state views technological nationalism as a positive expression of postmodernity in which culture, politics, & the economy are shaped by processes of interaction/connection rather than material factors. The absent nation thesis maintains that the rhetoric of communication has spawned the "illusion of a nation" that appears as a polis but lacks a common culture. Bruce Powe's (1993) concept of Canadian identity is discussed. In contrast to Charland's emphasis on the political economy, Powe sees electronic communication as a "psychic" phenomenon that symbolizes a flexible conception of citizenship. Prospects for techno-constitutional nationalism in Canada are discussed. 1 Table. J. Lindroth