Key Concepts in Nationalism, Regionalism, and Geopolitics

Nationalism

Loyalty and devotion to a specific nationality.

Regionalism

A strong local identity that can conflict with the national identity (e.g., Quebec in Canada).

Ethnonationalism

Nationalism based on a specific ethnic group (e.g., Croats in Croatia).

Centripetal Forces

Forces that unify a state (e.g., a shared religion or a national sports team).

Centrifugal Forces

Forces that divide a state (e.g., multiple languages or income inequality).

Subnationalism

When people feel more loyal to their local group than their country.

Self-determination

The right of a nation to govern itself.

Territoriality

A group's attempt to control a geographic area to assert power.

Geopolitics

The study of how geography affects politics and international relations.

Democratization

The spread of representative government to more countries.