Nationalism

the belief that people are bound together through a shared identity, reflected in political organisation

nations provide individuals with a sense of belonging and collective purpose

Nations

nations create a sense of belonging among people bound by shared identity, history and culture

  • this creates collective identity

  • nations are self defined by those within them

  • this can lead to conflict (where self identified nations overlap)

KEY THINKERS are Jean-Jacques Rousseau who advocated national identity as essential for collective sovereignty

Self Determination

crucial for deciding how nations should be run

  • political autonomy - nations should be self governing free of external control

  • democratic participation - the people exercise power through national institutions

  • citizens have a right to sovereignty - they should be able to establish independent governments to oversee the nation

Nation-State

a state which contains a single nation and whose borders correspond to the territory inhabited by that nation

an area of legal sovereignty where the state exercises authority over a defined territory

within this territory, people are granted citizenship and rights

nation-states are internationally recognised in a system of global legitimacy

Culturalism

nationalists believe a shared culture is central to understanding the nation through language, traditions, arts and religion

  • culture helps shape national identity

  • some argue that national culture must be protected from external influence as culture holds the nation together

  • culture pride is important as it creates unity

Racialism

some believe that nations are created by people who share a common biology

  • race is seen as central to maintaining national character

  • members of a race share common characteristics which define national identity

Internationalism

supports global cooperation and that nations should engage in diplomacy, trade and treaties

Liberal Internationalism emphasises respect for self-determined nations

Socialist Internationalism argues the interests of the working class transcend national boundaries

Types of Nationalism

Liberal Nationalism

emphasises civic rights and an inclusive national identity

  • national belonging is based on shared political values rather than ethnicity or cullture

it encourages active political participation

  • citizens are expected to engage in public life and democratic processes

advocate democratic participation and political freedom

  • legitimate authority is derived from the people

encourage multicultural integration

  • individuals can join the nation by accepting the values of the nation

the nation-state is viewed as a guarantee of:

  • liberty, rights and political equality

Conservative Nationalism

emphasises the importance of historical traditions and continuity in creating a shared national identity

  • national identity is tied to heritage, history and symbols

this produces a strong sense of patriotism

  • loyalty to the nation is rooted in cultural inheritance and traditions

conservative nationalists are sceptical of radical change

  • social or political change is seen as a threat to national cohesion

critical of multicutural integration

  • national idenity is formed through heritage rather than choice

social order and stability are prioritised

  • national cohesion is seen as dependent on continuity and tradition

Post-Colonial Nationalism

seeks liberation from imperial/colonial rule

  • the aim is to achieve self-determination

it emphasises the right of colonised peoples to govern themselves

  • external control is viewed as illegitimate and oppressive

a key focus is restoration of suppressed cultures and languages

  • colonial rule is seen as having eroded national identity

values inclusivity

  • national membership is not resricted by ethnicity

Expansionist Nationalism

advocates national growth through territorial expansion

expansion is often justified through claims of:

  • racial + cultural superiority and ethnic dominance

the interests of the state are prioritised over international norms

  • peace and cooperation are secondary to national strength

often views the nation as exclusive

  • membership may require a shared heritage or ancestry

sovereignty of other nations may be ignored

  • expansion is seen as legitimate if it strengthens the nation

Key Thinkers

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (liberal)

  • sovereignty lies with the people, not the state

  • developed the general will - political authority must reflect the collective interest

  • nations are civic: defined by shared political values, not ethnicity

  • active participation is essential to national unity

Johann Gottfried von Herder (conservative)

  • nations defined by shared culture and language, not politics

  • developed the concept volksgeist (national spirit)

  • cultural traditions must be preserved

  • rejected universal standards: each nation should be judged on its own cultural terms

Giuseppe Mazzini (liberal + post-colonial)

  • nations have a moral right to self-determination

  • individuals have a duty to the nation - nationalism is a civic+moral obligation

  • national unity is the route to political freedom

Charles Maurras (conservative + expansionist)

  • advocated integral nationalism - total devotion to the nation above all

  • emphasised tradition, hierarchy and authority as necessary for order

  • ethnic and cultural definitions of nationhood

  • rejected liberal democracy and internationalism

Marcus Garvey (post-colonial)

  • promoted Pan-African nationalism (unity of all Africans globally)

  • argued for Black self-determination

  • racial pride as a means of political empowerment