Nativism: What is and How it Affects Society

The idea of nativism is anti-migrant

Nativism describes the restoration of native culture, especially contrary to acculturation.

According to Myron Weiner, nativism is a kind of ethnic politics. It is a kind of ethnic originality that attempts to reject those not part of the regional or native ethnic groups living or serving in an area as the individuals are not native to the location or nation. In the past, there have been various nativist movements throughout the world.

An example of nativism from the western world is when the Irish individuals arrived in the USA in the mid-1800s while Ireland struggled with the Potato famine. The “native” people together petitioned the government not to give the right to vote.

Another situation is when India, after independence, saw the surge of one of the most famous nativist movements called the ‘Telangana Nativist Movement.’ The movement started in the year 1969.

Initially, the purpose of the movement was the perpetuation of mulki laws and Telangana laws created at the time of the development of Andhra Pradesh in the year 1956. After a long time, the movement’s aim changed to creating a different state from the state of Andhra Pradesh.

One of the central reasons for the increase of nativism is the escalating competition the indigenous population faces from the migrant population. They feel that the travelers or the ‘outsiders’ are taking away their jobs. The migrant population against whom these movements are begun primarily comes from culturally different native groups belonging to the middle strata of the culture.

Hence, nativism is a senseless prejudice towards immigrants. Usually, migrant individuals are subject to discrimination and racism based on their culture, ethnicity, and physical appearance.

Originally published on Sociologygroup.com. Read the original article.