nationalism: the state

self-determination:

• rousseau: self-determination as reaction to absolute monarchy.

• basis for creating democratic states: revolutionary (france, usa) or constitutional (uk).

• 19th century: self-determination key for peoples against imperialist rule.

• post ww1: fall of european empires enabled self-determination.

self-determination n woodrow wilson:

• us president wilson advocated self-determination in 1918 speech.

• war roots: disregard of rights of small nations and nationalities.

• principles led to league of nations (1919) and united nations (1945).

• wilson's declaration marked nation-state as dominant political community in the democratic world.

the nation-state:

• fusion of both: state as political entity, nation as social reality with collective consciousness.

• exceptions:

• quasi-federal: uk.

• states without single national identity: usa, relies on patriotism.

• nations within nation-states: seek independence (scotland) or cultural protection (wales).