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Chauvinism

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Submitted By ebroussard
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Erica Broussard
Ms. Caitlyn James
English 1301-12
November 19, 2013

Chauvinism

We live in times of proclaimed tolerance towards a wide variety of world-outlooks, religion, occupations and other activities in which modern people are engaged. To some extent, it simplifies communication as well as facilitates freedom and understanding between people. However, many ideas that were once considered normal are now misperceived as inappropriate, especially if they break from the smooth picture that the ideology of general tolerance cultivates. On the other hand, lots of radical concepts find their place in the public mind. One such concept is chauvinism-a term used to characterize a number of negative social phenomena. Chauvinism is synonymous with prejudice of almost any kind. The term has its origins in the times of the Napoleonic war. Its appearance in language goes back to a French soldier named Nicolas Chauvin, who was known for his exaggerated patriotism. He remained a zealous supporter of Bonapartism, despite the fact that it had become quite unpopular during the Bourbon Restoration. Chauvin idolized the deposed Emperor, even being poor and disabled. His last name was to create a term defining a specific outlook which he shared. However, later the term’s meaning broadened. Thesaurus.com defines chauvinism as an “Extreme devotion to a belief, or nation.” According to Merriam-Webster online, chauvinism is an “Excessive or blind patriotism; undue partiality or attachment to a group or place to which one belongs or has belongs; an attitude of superiority toward members of the opposite sex.” Finally, on Dictionary.com, chauvinism is defined as “Zealous and aggressive patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory; biased devotion to any group, attitude, or cause; the denigration, disparagement, and patronization of either sex based on the belief that one sex is inferior to the other and thus deserving of less than equal treatment to a certain nation, religion, group of people or sex and an extreme prejudice against the members of opposite, or simply different, groups. Thus, a chauvinist is a person who shares these kinds of attachments and prejudices. This concept is used when referring to nationalism and sexism. Chauvinism can be perceived as the ideology of proving and preaching nationality superiority, which supposedly gives one nation a right to discriminate and oppress the others. Chauvinism as nationalism lies across to a phenomenon of jingoism and is typical for many ultra-right organizations. Skinheads, Jingos, Chavs and other radical nationalistic subcultures and movements can be called chauvinistic. On the other hand, chauvinism as sexism refers both to males and females, as it assumes the belief in the superiority of one sex over the other. Male chauvinists believe women must stay home, cook and rise children, while men are supposed to live an active life, and build careers. At the same time, some forms of modern feminism can be referred to as female chauvinism. For example, despite the fact that Islam strictly prohibits male chauvinism, Muslims are often considered disdainful in the way they treat their women, though it is not true. Women furiously often argue about the numerous advantages of women over men. This can be called chauvinism. It can be said that chauvinism is a phenomenon that can hardly be tolerated in the modern world. Though there exists a strong forbearance to numerous outlooks and ideologies in society, chauvinism cannot be accepted, since it implies hostility and supremacy towards groups with different values. Chauvinism is a term used to characterize intolerance based on nationality or gender, though it can also refer to other spheres of influence such as religion or political ideology.

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