- Quote: "It tends to promote the interests of a particular nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty over its perceived homeland to create a nation-state."
The study of how nationalism developed over time, from the 18th century to the present, including the Enlightenment, French Revolution, and the formation of modern nation-states.
The French Revolution: The French Revolution is considered to be a key event in the emergence of nationalism as an ideology. Its ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, along with the emphasis on individual rights and the idea of a national community, had a profound impact on the development of nationalism in Europe and beyond.
Romanticism: Romanticism was a cultural movement that emphasized emotions, imagination, and individualism. It had a significant impact on the development of nationalistic sentiments as it encouraged people to identify with their national culture and traditions.
Pan-Slavism: Pan-Slavism was a movement that sought to unite all Slavic peoples under a single state. It emerged in the 19th century as a response to the growing influence of other European powers and played a significant role in the development of nationalism in Eastern Europe.
German Idealism: German Idealism was a philosophical movement in Germany in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It emphasized the importance of individual freedom and the idea of a national community. Its ideas played an important role in the development of German nationalism.
Colonialism: Colonialism had a significant impact on the development of nationalism as it created new identities and cultural practices among colonized peoples. It also led to the emergence of anti-colonial nationalist movements that sought to reclaim national sovereignty and independence.
The Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant economic and social change that transformed many societies. It played a role in the emergence of nationalism as it created new economic and social disparities between different regions and groups, leading to the development of regional, ethnic, and national identities.
The Nation-State: The nation-state is a political entity that emerged in Europe in the 19th century. It is characterized by a shared language, culture, and history, and is often seen as the ultimate expression of national sovereignty. The creation of nation-states played a significant role in the development of nationalism.
Imperialism: Imperialism refers to the acquisition and control of foreign territories, often for economic or political gain. It played a role in the development of nationalism as it created new identities and cultural practices among colonized peoples, and led to the emergence of anti-colonial nationalist movements.
Ethnicity and Race: Ethnicity and race are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct concepts. Ethnicity refers to a shared cultural identity, while race refers to a biological identity. Both concepts play a significant role in the development of nationalism as they can be used to create a sense of belonging and identity among a particular group of people.
Religion: Religion can also play a role in the development of nationalism as it can be used to create a sense of shared identity and community. This can be seen in the emergence of religious nationalism, where religion is used as a basis for national identity and action.
Cultural nationalism: This type of nationalism asserts that the cultural identity of a nation is the defining factor for its existence. Cultural nationalists argue that a community of people sharing a common language, traditions, customs, and history should form a distinctive nation.
Romantic nationalism: This type of nationalism emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and emphasized the importance of national feeling and emotion. Romantic nationalists believed that a nation's identity was rooted in the unique cultural and historical experiences of its people.
Political nationalism: This type of nationalism emphasizes self-governance and political autonomy. Political nationalists insist that a nation's destiny should be determined by its own people rather than by outsiders or colonial powers.
Ethnic nationalism: This type of nationalism defines a nation based on shared ancestry and ethnic heritage. Ethnic nationalists insist on the need for strict immigration and naturalization policies to maintain the racial purity of the nation.
Civic nationalism: This type of nationalism emphasizes shared citizenship and loyalty to a nation's political institutions rather than cultural or ethnic ties. Civic nationalists argue that a nation should be defined by its political territory, not by any ethnic or cultural characteristics.
Anti-colonial nationalism: Nationalist movements in colonized or oppressed countries that fought against colonial rule or occupation. This type of nationalism emphasizes the need to resist imperialist or oppressive forces and liberate the nation from foreign control.
Religious nationalism: This type of nationalism is defined by a nation's religious identity and emphasizes the role of religion in defining the nation. Religious nationalists argue that a nation's religious beliefs and practices should be enshrined in its laws and institutions.
- Quote: "It holds that each nation should govern itself, free from outside interference (self-determination), that a nation is a natural and ideal basis for a polity, and that the nation is the only rightful source of political power."
- Quote: "It further aims to build and maintain a single national identity, based on a combination of shared social characteristics such as culture, ethnicity, geographic location, language, politics, religion, traditions, and belief in a shared singular history."
- Quote: "Nationalism, therefore, seeks to preserve and foster a nation's traditional culture."
- Quote: "The two main divergent forms identified by scholars are ethnic nationalism and civic nationalism."
- Quote: "Beginning in the late 18th century, particularly with the French Revolution and the spread of the principle of popular sovereignty or self-determination, the idea that 'the people' should rule is developed by political theorists."
- Quote: "This view has since been rejected by most scholars, and nations are now viewed as socially constructed and historically contingent."
- Quote: "Modernization theory... adopts a constructivist approach and proposes that nationalism emerged due to processes of modernization, such as industrialization, urbanization, and mass education, which made national consciousness possible."
- Quote: "Proponents of this theory describe nations as 'imagined communities' and nationalism as an 'invented tradition' in which shared sentiment provides a form of collective identity and binds individuals together in political solidarity."
- Quote: "A third theory, ethnosymbolism explains nationalism as a product of symbols, myths, and traditions, and is associated with the work of Anthony D. Smith."
- Quote: "The moral value of nationalism, the relationship between nationalism and patriotism, and the compatibility of nationalism and cosmopolitanism are all subjects of philosophical debate."
- Quote: "Nationalism can be combined with diverse political goals and ideologies such as conservatism (national conservatism and right-wing populism) or socialism (left-wing nationalism)."
- Quote: "In practice, nationalism is seen as positive or negative depending on its ideology and outcomes."
- Quote: "Nationalism has been a feature of movements for freedom and justice, has been associated with cultural revivals, and encourages pride in national achievements."
- Quote: "It has also been used to legitimize racial, ethnic, and religious divisions, suppress or attack minorities, and undermine human rights and democratic traditions."
- Quote: "It tends to promote the interests of a particular nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty over its perceived homeland to create a nation-state."
- Quote: "It further aims to build and maintain a single national identity, based on a combination of shared social characteristics such as culture, ethnicity, geographic location, language, politics (or the government), religion, traditions and belief in a shared singular history."
- Quote: "It holds that each nation should govern itself, free from outside interference (self-determination), that a nation is a natural and ideal basis for a polity, and that the nation is the only rightful source of political power."
- Quote: "Three main theories have been used to explain the emergence of nationalism: Primordialism (perennialism), Modernization theory, and Ethnosymbolism."
- Quote: "Nationalism, therefore, seeks to preserve and foster a nation's traditional culture."