Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/835

 SOCIAL ASSIMILATION 821

establishment of nationality, and, afterward, the creation of internationality, if the term may be used.

In brief, the function of assimilation is the establishment of homogeneity within the group ; but this does not mean that all variation shall be crushed out. In vital national matters, such as language, ideals of government, law, and education, uni- formity shall prevail ; in personal matters of religion and habits of life, however, individuality shall be allowed free play. Thus the spread of "consciousness of kind" must be accompanied by the spread of consciousness of individuality.

Next, what is the relation of assimilation to political groups ? Purposive assimilation begins with the historical state. The political organization of society gives birth to the process of assimilation, which in its turn calls forth in later ages the nation. The state is formed wholly on a material basis ; the nation rests on a psychic basis. The controlling power in the state is mate- rial interests ; the controlling power in the nation is sentiment, affinity, and sympathy. 1 Assimilation results in "the modern kinship known as Nationality, which enables us to speak of Eng- lishmen, Frenchmen, Australians, and Americans." 2 According to Novicow, a nation cannot be better defined than as " a group of individuals alike in their manner of feeling." 3 "A nation means a like body of men, because of that likeness capable of acting together, and because of that likeness inclined to obey similar rules," says Bagehot. 4 It is certainly true

that the members of such a group should be similar enough to one another to cooperate easily and readily together. The cooperation in all such cases depends on a felt union of heart and spirit ; and this is only felt when there is a great degree of real likeness in mind and feelings, however that likeness may have been attained. 5

In every society we find certain forces at work which antagonize the assimilating process and prevent the spread of

1 " In social evolution we progress from community of material interests (state) to the community of ideas, sentiments, and desires (nationality)." (Novicow, Les Luttes entre Soctites humaines, p. 251.)


 * MAINE, Early Law and Custom, p. 216.

3 Novicow, Les Luttes entre Socittes humaines, p. 247.


 * BAGEHOT, Physics and Politics, p. 21. s ibid., p. 213.