Nationalism
Nationalism is…
1. wide ranging - can promote harmony or fuel war
2. originally a breed of people with no political significance
3. Now has 2 core assumptions:
a) humankind is naturally divided into distinct nations
b) nation - only appropriate/ legitimate unite of political rule
4. emerged as a political/ popular movement in mid 19th century - spread of flags and anthems,
saw as a way to develop law and order
Nation:
A collection of people bound together by shared values and traditions, a common language,
religion and history - usually the same geographical area.
• a common circumstance of birth
• Adapt collective goals based on their national identify
• Emotional phenomenon
• Objective reality or subjective emotion
State:
Can be defined in many ways:
1. A define territory within which there is a centre of sovereignty which is more or less, in
control of that territory.
2. A territory in which a central body claims the legitimate use of violence.
3. Identify political institutions that control the people within a territory.
4. Identified by a widespread obedience to a monarch or a leader.
But a state is a political reality, it doesn't convey people's state of mind or emotion.
Core Themes
THREE PROBLEMS FOR SINGLE DOCTRINE:
1. sometimes classed as a political doctrine and not a fully-fledged ideology, political nationalism
- natural political community - ignores the other forms of nationalism cultural (regeneration
, of nation as a distinctive civilisation rather than on self government) and ethnic (fuelled by
sense of ethnic distinctiveness and desire to preserve it) - Ignores other types
2. sometimes portrayed as a psychological phenomenon - loyalty towards one’s nation or dislike
of other nations, not just patriotism - how they feel
3. has a schizophrenic political character, can either be progressive and reactionary or
democratic, also is associated with all major ideologies - many things to many people
Core themes:
1. Nation
2. Organic community
3. Self-determination
4. Culturalism
1. Nation
- nation is the central principle of political organisation, with rights and status
- nations are cultural entities, collections of people bound together by shared values and
traditions, in particular a common language, religion and history - usually same geographical
area
- but there is no criteria that can establish where/when a nation exists
Symbols of nationhood:
a) Language
Clearest symbol, embodies distinctive attitudes/values that produce a sense of familiarity/
belonging
b) Religion
Expresses common moral values and spiritual beliefs.
But does not always coincide with a sense of nationhood, as there is a lot of religious diversity in
one nation.
c) Ethnic / Racial Unity
However, now more cultural than biological basis, ethnic unity may be based on race but still
draws on shared values and common cultural beliefs.
d) History and Traditions
Recalls past glories, national independence, important military victories.
However, may be based more on future expectations than on shared memories or a common past.
Nationalism is…
1. wide ranging - can promote harmony or fuel war
2. originally a breed of people with no political significance
3. Now has 2 core assumptions:
a) humankind is naturally divided into distinct nations
b) nation - only appropriate/ legitimate unite of political rule
4. emerged as a political/ popular movement in mid 19th century - spread of flags and anthems,
saw as a way to develop law and order
Nation:
A collection of people bound together by shared values and traditions, a common language,
religion and history - usually the same geographical area.
• a common circumstance of birth
• Adapt collective goals based on their national identify
• Emotional phenomenon
• Objective reality or subjective emotion
State:
Can be defined in many ways:
1. A define territory within which there is a centre of sovereignty which is more or less, in
control of that territory.
2. A territory in which a central body claims the legitimate use of violence.
3. Identify political institutions that control the people within a territory.
4. Identified by a widespread obedience to a monarch or a leader.
But a state is a political reality, it doesn't convey people's state of mind or emotion.
Core Themes
THREE PROBLEMS FOR SINGLE DOCTRINE:
1. sometimes classed as a political doctrine and not a fully-fledged ideology, political nationalism
- natural political community - ignores the other forms of nationalism cultural (regeneration
, of nation as a distinctive civilisation rather than on self government) and ethnic (fuelled by
sense of ethnic distinctiveness and desire to preserve it) - Ignores other types
2. sometimes portrayed as a psychological phenomenon - loyalty towards one’s nation or dislike
of other nations, not just patriotism - how they feel
3. has a schizophrenic political character, can either be progressive and reactionary or
democratic, also is associated with all major ideologies - many things to many people
Core themes:
1. Nation
2. Organic community
3. Self-determination
4. Culturalism
1. Nation
- nation is the central principle of political organisation, with rights and status
- nations are cultural entities, collections of people bound together by shared values and
traditions, in particular a common language, religion and history - usually same geographical
area
- but there is no criteria that can establish where/when a nation exists
Symbols of nationhood:
a) Language
Clearest symbol, embodies distinctive attitudes/values that produce a sense of familiarity/
belonging
b) Religion
Expresses common moral values and spiritual beliefs.
But does not always coincide with a sense of nationhood, as there is a lot of religious diversity in
one nation.
c) Ethnic / Racial Unity
However, now more cultural than biological basis, ethnic unity may be based on race but still
draws on shared values and common cultural beliefs.
d) History and Traditions
Recalls past glories, national independence, important military victories.
However, may be based more on future expectations than on shared memories or a common past.
