A2 Political Ideologies - Nationalism

NATIONALISM
Nationalism is a collective emotion felt by groups of people who consider themselves to
have common circumstances of birth. Nationalism was born out of the French revolution,
heavily influenced by Rousseau and the doctrine of popular self-government. Countries had
previously been thought of as realms, principalities or kingdoms, inhabitants…

Organic community
Humankind is naturally divided into a collection of nations with distinct identities and
national ties and loyalties are found in all communities.
The primordialist approach: national identity is historically embedded ­ nations have
a common cultural heritage and language that can predate statehood/independence.
Anthony Smith (1989) highlights the…

The role of a nation is to develop an awareness/appreciation of national traditions
and collective memories rather than political aim of statehood.
Endorsed by Black Panthers with `Black Nationalism'.
Cultural forms of nationalism viewed as tolerant and consistent with progressive
political goals ­ differs from ethnic nationalism. Ethnicity refers to…

The influence of the Enlightenment led nationalists to believe that the nation-state
was the ultimate expression of rational government.
The ideas of liberal nationalism were expressed most clearly through Mazzini,
`prophet' of Italian unification.
Shaped by Rousseau's defence of popular sovereignty ­ `general will'. The aspiration
for popular self-government increased…

Conservatives initially saw nationalism as a radical, dangerous force, but statesmen
(Disraeli, Bismarck) became sympathetic to the idea of nationalism ­ seeing it as a
way of maintaining social order and defending tradition.
Tends to develop in established nation-states rather than ones in process.
Care more about social cohesion and…

Individuals and independent groups lose their identity within an powerful nation ­ it's
existence and meaning is beyond the life of any single individual.
Military glory and conquest are the ultimate evidence of national greatness.
The civilian population is effectively militarised ­ infected with values of loyalty,
complete dedication and…

Nationalism in a Global Age
Globalisation greatly undermines the idea of a nation-state, limiting a nation-state's
ability to function as a self-sufficient economic unit.
The trend for cultural globalisation is impacting nation's individual cultures, and the
growth of global interconnectedness has reconfigured out sense of political
community and expanded moral…