Core Political Ideas: Nationalism
Nationalism – an ideology which recognises the nation as the basis of a community
1. Nationalism: core ideas and principles
Nations – people who identify themselves as a cohesive group based on shared values in society
Self-determination – belief that nations should decide how they are governed
Nation-state – a nation that rules itself in its own state and controls its own economy
Colonialism – used to be a sign of power and prestige for larger countries to rule over other countries – known
as colonialism or imperialism. Historically, ‘newly discovered’ countries actually already existed, with
indigenous populations who had their own governments, cultures and economies e.g., the British Empire
Culturalism – (not progressive) that nationalism is based on shared cultural societal values. People have an
emotional connection with their country that draws them together – people have a deeper, emotional tie to
their country, whereas civic nationalism (progressive) is a belief you can become whatever nationality you
want to be (liberal nationalism) – von Herder
Volksgeist – the unique identity of a people based on their culture
Racialism – humankind can be meaningfully divided into separate ‘races’, which each possess different natures
Internationalism – the world should unite across boundaries to advance their common interests in society.
Liberalism nationalism is the idea that sovereign nationals should co-operate and create a level of
interdependency to avoid international conflict. Socialist internationalism is the idea that class solidarity is
more powerful and politically significant than national identity
Core ideas and principles of socialism and how they relate to human nature, the state, society and the economy:
Human nature:
It is an essential feature of nationalism that people feel a strong sense of identity. It can be based on a number
of different things:
- Language: this was stressed by early conservative nationalists such as von Herder. Language was seen
as a key aspect of culture and as such binds people together in an organic way
- Religion: Jewish people, for example, are bound together by their religion. Their nationality is defined
by their religious identity
- Culture: this includes a shared history. This also includes traditions in the arts, pride in their history
and a strong set of values to which all the people can feel attached (the British)
- Ethnicity: the biological divisions of the world are not always translated into national differences, but
when they are they make a powerful combination (the Chinese, Japanese and Scandinavian people)
- Geography: this includes people who have occupied a specific territory and have long spiritual
attachment to it. Russians have a strong sense of identity with what they describe as the ‘motherland’
Cultural nationalism
This refers to a kind of collective identity that relates to the organic unity of the nation. It has two main forms.
One is a liberal ideal, the other extremely conservative.
Liberal cultural nationalism flourishes among people who feel that their distinctive culture is threatened by a
more dominant culture. This usually applies to a national group that exists within a state where there is such a
dominant culture. Such nationalists may not seek independence but merely that their separate identity is
respected and protected. Often their identity is related to their own language and culture. Language carries
culture with it, so protecting language also protects a distinctive culture.
, The ultra-conservative form has a similar concern to see the culture strengthened, but this is not in the interest
of mere survival; instead it includes movements which believe their national characteristics are superior to
others. This may translate itself into militarism and expansionism. When cultural nationalism meets a strong
sense of ethnic nationalism, the, combination can be dangerous. For example, German fascism under Hitler.
Racialism
This refers to a belief that racial distinctions are the most important form of national identity. It can take a
neutral form, in which case it simply implies that the basis of nationhood should be racial, though it can take a
more radical form whereby one race should be favoured over others within the nation-state. This has been
described in modern times as nativism. Nativism suggests that the original race that occupied a territory should
be favoured, politically and economically, over racial groups that arrived later
Racism
When a racial group feels itself superior to others and translates this prejudice into discrimination or even
suppression or oppression, the term racism can be applied. Racism can be both a state of mind – a sense of
disdain or hatred by one racial group towards another – and a political movement. Political racists will openly
favour one race over another. Racism (based on tribal distinctions) is also a common feature of African states
were in trouble people may enjoy monopoly a political and economic power over minority tribal groups
The state:
Self-determination
The idea of self-determination of peoples arose from the Enlightenment period. Its principal advocate at the
time was Rousseau. His insistence on the self-determination of peoples was largely a reaction against absolute
monarchy. However, the aspiration of self-determination was often thwarted by the fact that many peoples of
the world were subject to imperial rule. As the democratic spirit spread, however, during the 19 th century, self-
determination became the watchword for people seeking liberation from their imperial masters.
The nation-state
The concept of the nation state joins together the idea of statehood and the reality of collective national
identity. While the state is a political entity – a political system which enjoys sovereignty and equal status with
other states – the nation is a social reality, based on such collective consciousness as language, culture,
ethnicity, common history or religion. This is not to say that all nations are states or that all states are nations.
There are exceptions:
- Some states are multinational – they contain more than one national grouping, e.g., the UK
- Some states do not contain a single national identity. Their unity is based on shared political values, but
their people may have many different national origins, e.g., the US. The weakness of national identity is
replaced by a strong sense of patriotism towards the state (the pride in one’s state as a political entity)
- Some nations exist within another nation-state and either seek independence, as is the case with
Scotland, or are content to remain as a national grouping without statehood. Instead, they seek respect
for their national culture.
So, the nation-state is not the only model for nationalist aspiration. However, it remains the dominant
expression of national identity
Society:
Civic nationalism – seeks to create a new form of national identity where it does not exist as a result of any shared
history
The model of civic nationalism is best exemplified by the USA. Here, the claim to national identity is less
important than the people’s pride in the political institutions of the state. These political values are normally
associated with liberal ideas, including respect for individual rights and liberties, a love of the democratic spirit
and the importance of equal rights for all individuals and sections of society. In the US, citizens are encouraged,
even at an early stage in their education, to develop a pride in their political institutions of the country. Thus,
