nationalism and human nature

Question 1

conservative nationalists and expansionist nationalists agree on the pessemism of human nature

conservative

Answer 1

they both see humans as irrational and security seeking in nationhood. herder, conservative nationalist believed humanity was irrational and rejected the enlightenment; he believed they key to identity was patriotism, not individualism. his idea of the volkgeist, the shared spirit of the nation reflects this, ‘any authority extending over more than one nation is a monstrosity’

Question 2

conservative nationalists and expansionist nationalists agree on the pessemism of human nature

expansionist

Answer 2

murrass, an expansionist nationalist also emphasised the role of the nation over the individual; he believed it led to people placing their own self interests over the nations.
individualism had to be crushed and we have to be subservient to the state; ‘a true nationalist places his country above everything’

Question 3

liberal and post colonial views - positive on human nature

Answer 3

rousseau- liberal nationalist believed humans are rational and governments should serve the people

post colonial view- very positive, black pride. black people are rational and need to see beauty, potential and achievement in themselves

Question 4

role of the state in human nature