Nationalism

Question 1

When did nationalism first become a political movement?

Answer 1

Mid-19th century

Question 2

Simplest definition of nationalism?

Answer 2

The idea that the nation is the most appropriate unit of government

Question 3

What key theories are associated with nationalism?

Answer 3

The nation
Organic community
Self-determination
Identity politics

Question 4

Describe the basic idea of ‘organic community’

Answer 4

• People are naturally divided into a collection of nations with distinctive characters and identities
• ‘Higher loyalty’ to the nation than to any other collective group

Question 5

Describe the basic idea of ‘self-determination’

Answer 5

• A nation governing itself
• Nation isn’t just a natural community but also a political community
• Often expressed through independence however sometimes through federalism or devolution

Question 6

Describe the basic idea of ‘identity politics’

Answer 6

• Andrew Haywood – “Nationalism tells people who they are”
• Cultural nationalism emphasises the nation as a distinctive civilisation rather than political community = less rational, traditional, romantic
• Ethnic nationalism emphasises loyalty to a particular population, group or geographical area and is seen as exclusive

Question 7

What is a state?

Answer 7

A political term that refers to a geographical area that is organised and has a government

Question 8

What are the 4 components of a state?

Answer 8

Territory, people, government, and sovereignty

Question 9

What is a nation?

Answer 9

A population who share a similar culture and ideas that can be formed as a result of many factors including a common race, religion, language or history

Question 10

Who are the main thinkers of nationalism?

Answer 10

Von Herder 
Rousseau 
Mazzini 
Maurras 
Garvey

Question 11

Describe Von Herder:

Answer 11

• 18th century German writer
• Overarching conservative nationalism
• Linked to romantic and cultural nationalism = every nation different with own character
• Each nation possesses a ‘volksgeist’ – national spirit
• Importance of language “Has a nation anything dearer than the speech of its fathers”
• Regressive

Question 12

Describe Rousseau:

Answer 12

• 18th century French philosopher
• Father of liberal nationalism
• Influenced the French Revolution
• Self-determination and popular sovereignty
• Civic nationalism – state is legitimate as it is based on active participation of citizens
• Will of people
• Liberal, progressive, rational, civic

Question 13

Describe Mazzini:

Answer 13

• 19th century Italian writer
• Liberal nationalism and ideas of nationhood
• Patriotism = a duty
• Founded ‘Young Italy’ – revolutionary nationalist movement linked to self-determination to overthrow monarchies
• Romantic nationalism
• Republicanism – combination of nationalism and popular democracy
• Liberal, progressive, emotional, cultural

Question 14

Describe Maurras:

Answer 14

• 19th/20th century right-wing French nationalist
• Restoring traditional values and being patriotic
• Xenophobic – blamed Jewish people for decline in French fortune
• Ultra-conservative nationalism
• Integral nationalism – intense and very emotional, demands complete obedience to ideals of the nation and can be linked to Fascism
• Militarism
• Interests of the nation should always be more important than narrow self-interest

Question 15

Describe Garvey:

Answer 15

• 20th century Jamaican activist
• Equality
• Ultimate dream was a United States of Africa
• Wanted to end imperial rule
• Black nationalism and black pride
• Pan-Africanism
• Inspired Malcolm X and Nation of Islam

Question 16

What did Anthony Smith describe nationalism as?

Answer 16

A chameleon ideology - due to its adaptable nature

Question 17

CONSERVATIVE NATIONALISM: where has it developed?

Answer 17

In established nation-states rather than ones in the process of nation building

Question 18

CONSERVATIVE NATIONALISM: what do they think of self-determination?

Answer 18

Less concerned with universal self-determination and more focused on patriotism and national unity

Question 19

CONSERVATIVE NATIONALISM: how do they view society?

Answer 19

Society is organic and that nations develop from people’s preferences to live with those with same appearance and values as themselves

Question 20

CONSERVATIVE NATIONALISM: main aim?

Answer 20

To have pride in one’s country and to encourage national unity through patriotism

Question 21

CONSERVATIVE NATIONALISM: progressive or regressive?

Answer 21

Regressive as celebrates tradition by being nostalgic

Question 22

CONSERVATIVE NATIONALISM: use of institutions?

Answer 22

Can be viewed as symbols of national identity such as the monarchy

Question 23

CONSERVATIVE NATIONALISM: example?

Answer 23

Herder’s focus on ‘volksgeist’ shows irrationality as focus is on emotion not logic

Question 24

EXPANSIONIST NATIONALISM: what is it?

Answer 24

An extreme form of conservative nationalism that is deemed as irrational, chauvinistic, militaristic

Question 25

EXPANSIONIST NATIONALISM: what do they think of self-determination?

Answer 25

Rejects the rights of all nations to self-determination – linked to chauvinism (national superiority) and based on intense nationalist emotion

Question 26

EXPANSIONIST NATIONALISM: what did Maurras call intense patriotism?

Answer 26

Integral nationalism – where the nation is more important than any individual or independent group

Question 27

EXPANSIONIST NATIONALISM: what is it often accompanied by?

Answer 27

Militarism

Question 28

LIBERAL NATIONALISM: aim?

Answer 28

A world of autonomous, independent nation-states

Question 29

LIBERAL NATIONALISM: key features

Answer 29

Progressive, rational, tolerant

Question 30

LIBERAL NATIONALISM: what do they think of self-determination?

Answer 30

Nations are equal so should be fully entitled to the right of self-determination

Question 31

LIBERAL NATIONALISM: views on foreign domination?

Answer 31

Opposes all form of foreign domination and oppression

Question 32

LIBERAL NATIONALISM: where is it found?

Answer 32

In nations that are part of a larger stat but wish to be independent eg. Scotland

Question 33

LIBERAL NATIONALISM: example of a thinker?

Answer 33

Mazzini wanted Italy to become independent from the Austro-Hungarian empire (Also, Rousseau)

Question 34

LIBERAL NATIONALISM: views on supranational organisations?

Answer 34

Believe that powerful nation-states may try to dominate weaker states if left unchecked, so accept the need for governing bodies such as UN and NATO

Question 35

ANTI-COLONIAL NATIONALISM: what is it?

Answer 35

Rejecting colonial rule and seeking to have governance returned to indigenous populations

Question 36

ANTI-COLONIAL NATIONALISM: what is post-colonial nationalism?

Answer 36

The experiences of nations after their goal of independence has been achieved

Question 37

ANTI-COLONIAL NATIONALISM: what type of democracy is it linked to?

Answer 37

- Autocratic regimes (dictatorships) because under a democratic system newly independent states could collapse - Socialist movements to promote economic development eg. Cuba wanted to be free from US domination so rejected free market principles

Question 38

ANTI-COLONIAL NATIONALISM: view of the West?

Answer 38

Rejects western ideas and culture

Question 39

ANTI-COLONIAL NATIONALISM: what other type of nationalism is it linked to?

Answer 39

Black Nationalism