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

the belief that nations should unite across their boundaries and cooperate to advance common interests

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

  • civic nationalism based on shared political values, not ethnicity/culture.

  • supports democracy, liberty, rights and equality

  • encourages active political participation.

  • supports multicultural integration.

  • nation-state protects freedom and political equality.

→ rational because based on political values, democracy and rights

→ progressive because supports liberty, equality, democratic reform

→ inclusive because people can join by accepting national values

Conservative Nationalism

  • National identity based on history, heritage, tradition, and national symbols.

  • Creates patriotism and social cohesion.

  • Supports authority, order, stability, and continuity.

  • Sceptical of radical change as it threatens unity.

→ irrational because base on emotion, tradition, patriotism rather than logic

→ regressive because resists change and wants to preserve order

→ exclusive because identity based on heritage rather than choice

Post-Colonial Nationalism

  • Seeks independence from colonial/imperial rule.

  • Supports self-determination and national sovereignty.

  • Views foreign rule as illegitimate and oppressive.

  • Aims to restore suppressed culture, language, and identity.

→ rational as based on self-determination and opposition to foreign rule

→ progressive as aims for liberation, independence, restoration of rights

→ inclusive as membership based on anti-colonial struggle, not ethnicity

Expansionist Nationalism

  • Supports territorial expansion to strengthen the nation.

  • Often based on ethnic dominance.

  • Prioritises state power over cooperation.

  • sovereignty of other nations are secondary.

→ irrational as based on myths of superiority and emotional chauvinism

→ regressive as rejects equality and cooperation (authoritarianism)

→ exclusive as based on ethnicity and domination over foreigners

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 (civic nationalism)

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

  • believed nationalist ideas must be acted upon through revolution and political action, not just discussed theoretically.

  • 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

  • advocated militarism - encourages nations to have a strong military ethos

  • believed order requires strong authority and traditional social structures.”

  • 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

  • encouraged black pride (African people to be proud of their race)