Tondolese nationalism

  

Tondolese nationalism is the belief that asserts that the Tondolese people are indisputably a distinct and unique nation, and promotes the cultural uniformity of all "Tondolese". It is built upon various right-wing ideologies and sentiment; a syncretic blend of elements emanating from the traditional socio-political philosophies of Confucianism and Legalism, as well as imported political philosophies such as Japanese statism, Anglo-American exceptionalism, and Callahanist statolatry. It is regarded as a type of ethnocultural nationalism, deemphasizing and trivializing matters such as allegiance or citizenship (as in civic nationalism) while emphasizing the adoption of the Tondolese ethnic identity and culture. It also asserts the Tondolese race as the irrefutable leader of the Austronesian race, and that all its "sister races" must submit. It was historically promoted by the Tondolese government under the basis of promoting political unity and instilling patriotism, launching campaigns to curb regionalism, separatism and multiculturalism–which were deemed "enemy ideologies of the state". It was cited in the "national struggle" to fulfill the ideals of the Tondolese Manifesto, and as a way to justify the increasingly authoritarian government of President Imi Lacandola.

Tondolese nationalism and its roots from the late 19th century from the French-educated reformist and bureaucrat Lalake Mahaladzu, who published his book "On the Uniqueness of the Tondolese Nation and Its People" on February 14, 1896. It was a best-seller, and due to its inclusion of Emperor worship it received support from the Tondolese monarchy, helping to solidify its early popularity. It further developed into separate schools of thought during the Roaring Twenties, adopting left-wing and populist ideals due to the participation of the masses–no longer barred by illiteracy–in politics. After the onset of the Pacific War and the brutal Occupation of the Tondolese Islands by Japanese militias, many guerilla forces banded together under the "Tondolese Liberation Front", with its leadership endorsing it as its official ideology. These guerilla forces helped loosen Japanese control over the archipelago–so much so that, about only 18 of the 44 provinces at the time were under full Japanese control by the arrival of the Anglo-American forces at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Since the Tondolese at the time were recognized as Sierran nationals (but not citizens), approximately ~300,000 of these confirmed guerilla fighters received subsidies from the Sierran government, and later the Tondolese government. The Nationalists remained the most dominant bloc in Tondolese politics from 1946 to 1990; only interrupted by the four-year term of Christian Democrat Katala Soto. Its dominance during the formative years of post-war Tondo has resulted in the instillation of a common and cohesive national identity into the ethos of the Tondolese people

Tondolese nationalism is often cited as a heavy influence in contemporary Tondolese political culture, alongside Judeo-Christian values and Confucianism. Due to its promotion of ethno-cultural nationalism, a majority of Hans consider race and ethnicity to be the main criteria to be "Han", as opposed to citizenship or allegiance. However, it has brought substantial criticism, primarily Han diaspora living in Sierra (many of whom are descendants of political émigrés), as well as ethnic minorities receiving discrimination for resisting and refusing to conform under its beliefs. While Han nationalism is often credited by some political analysts for enabling a high degree of stability and rule of law in a heterogenous, multi-cultural status, its critics have also pointed it out as reasons for anti-Sierran and xenophobic sentiment historically.

A more liberalized, relaxed form of Tondolese nationalism - emphasizing civic duties and citizenship - colloquially known as "New Nationalism" has developed during the reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, and became popular during the Manila Decade, especially with social liberalization as well as greater role of ethnic minorities within Tondolese society since democratization.