National Character in the Perspective of Political Science

Abstract

National character must be distinguished from na tional characteristics, and must be assessed over an adequate period of time. Also, the question must be faced as to whether political institutions shape national character more or less than they are shaped by it. The outstanding attributes of national character discernible in recent centuries are particularism, atomism, orderliness, otherworldliness, restraint, a sense of mission, herrenvolkism, mysticism and humility, anthropocen tricism, materialism, egalitarianism, traditionalism, logicism, empiricism, experimentalism, and resoluteness. But what of the future? It would appear that as we observe the passng of the bipolar political world and are confronted with the vocal independence of the Third World, there will be an intensifica tion of particularism, both within and among separate coun tries. Also, it appears that political loyalties will be based in creasingly on hate rather than love, which is another reason why we should try to develop an effective world government. Also, the state as a concept and a political entity is fading. Governments are becoming more ephemeral, but they are real and comprehensible, whether they take on the form of a re public, a one-man dictatorship, a one-party dictatorship, or a charismatic executive.