Nationalism theory

Question 1

Self Determination

Answer 1

Nations which aspire to self government should be granted sovereignty
States should respect the sovereignty of each nation
Started with Jeans-Jacques Rousseau as a reaction to absolutists monarchy
At the time, many countries were colonies of empires so didn’t have it
Became more important in the 19th century as more empires were dismantled

Question 2

Nation State

Answer 2

A group of people who have a collective identity in a geographical area with clear boundaries which becomes a political entity

Question 3

Liberal nationalists

Answer 3

world of nation states

Question 4

Chauvinistic nationalists

Answer 4

some nations are stronger and are the only one who should benefit - other nations should accept their position as colonies

Question 5

Multinational states

Answer 5

have more than 1 nation within them
Not all have a single national identity - their unity is based on political views (british/english/scottish/irish)
Some nations exist within another nation state and only want respect for their culture (wales)

Question 6

Self determination v. colonialism

Answer 6

becoming an empire has been the aim of monarchs and countries throughout history

Question 7

Civil nationalism

Answer 7

A
a form of nationalism based on a shared vision of an individual’s duty to observe given laws and in turn receive legal privileges
Johann gottfried von herder said that each nation has its own volksgeist - the spirit of the nation, a unique identity based on unique experiences, history and culture

Question 8

Expansionist nationalist

Answer 8

the idea that one nation’s volksgeist can be superior to that of other nations, therefore justifying imperialism and domination
Herder rejected this idea, writing that ‘notwithstanding the varieties of the human form, there is but one and the same species of man throughout earth’
takes time to develop because someone may know the language and be a citizen by it may take years of absorbing the culture to be genuine
people want to protect a nation’s unique culture, without necessarily focussing on specific ambitions for statehood, for example wales want welsh to be recognised as a language but aren’t as bothered by independence as scotland
It links to patriotism as it may result in a willingness to make sacrifices to promote the country’s best interests

Question 9

Racialism

Answer 9

The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race
Ideas are rooted in the belief that humanity is not one single human race, but can be meaningfully divided into separate races
The differences between races are biological and fixed
The different traits make certain races good/bad at things which creates a hierarchy
Then racial segregation is used to prevent ‘pollution’

Question 10

Internationalism

Answer 10

people of the world should unite and connect across boundaries

Question 11

Liberal internationalism

Answer 11

the idea that sovereign nations should cooperate and create a level of independence to avoid international conflict

Aim for a world of independent nation states

Assume that independent nations will seek to cooperate with each other as and when they need to - economically, educationally and culturally

Question 12

Socialist internationalism

(Class solidarity?)

Answer 12

class solidarity is more powerful and politically significant than national identity, incompatible with nationalism

Question 13

Marx (nationalism/patriotism

Answer 13

believed nationalism and patriotism were ways of keeping social class, it creates ‘false consciousness’

Question 14

Lenin (capitalism)

Answer 14

believed capitalism survived because the indigenous workers had been ‘brought off’ with increased wages and better conditions as the ‘home community’ exploited the colonies it too

Question 15

Human Nature (civic nationalism)

Answer 15

a rational form of nationalism, as it is based on citizen actively participating in society as equals
It’s rational, inclusive and progressive
It promotes mutual respect for rights and national identities, believing that sovereign nations should cooperate to create interdependence and avoid conflict

Question 16

Human Nature (expansionist nationalism)

irrational

Answer 16

More of an emotional, irrational approach to nationalism, with a focus on volksgeist
It takes time to be part of a nation
Expansionist, chauvinistic forms of nationalism are the most irrational

Question 17

The State

Answer 17

All nationalists recognise the role of the state in the sense of a nation state

Question 18

Liberal and anti/postcolonial state

Answer 18

see the nation state as the only legitimate unit of government, advancing freedom from impressionistic domination

Question 19

Liberal internationalist state

Answer 19

seek a world of independent nation states, as this offers the prospect of peace and order if regulated by supranational law and states

Question 20

Expansionist state

Answer 20

reject nation statehood for all, believing it’s only for a privileged few nations that are sufficiently developed

Question 21

Society (civil nationalism)

Answer 21

based on a commitment to a shared vision of society based on civil loyalty where society requires people’s active participation

This represents an inclusive version of society, not based on shared experience
associated with a progressing society, where society is constantly changing/improving

Question 22

Society (culturalism)

Answer 22

based on people sharing cultural values in society

Question 23

Society (chauvinism and racialism)

Answer 23

extreme, where society seeks a divide into ‘us’ and ‘them’, which is seen as regressive

Question 24

The economy

Answer 24

A nation state can be defined as a group of people who control their economy

Question 25

Liberal nationalist state

Answer 25

assume that independent nation states want to cooperate economically, leading to peace

Question 26

Socialist internationalist state

Answer 26

argued that nationalism is based on economic exploitation of weak economies by strong capitalist ones

Question 27

Chauvinistic nationalism state

Answer 27

sees other nations as a threat to their survival
As such, they support autarky (being economically self sufficient)

Question 28

Most to least rational/civic/inclusive nationalists

Answer 28

Liberal, anti/post colonial, conservative, expansionist and chauvanist

Question 29

Liberal Nationalism example

Answer 29

Was best shown during President Wilson’s fourteen-point peace plan proposed in 1918 at the end of the Great War
He insisted that all recognised nations were entitled to become free, self governing states

Question 30

Liberal nationalism principles

Answer 30

All recognisable nations are entitled to form a state if they wish

The nation-state must be based on the self determination of its people

Each state should recognised the right of other free states to exist in peace with them and should not interfere with internal affairs

All nation-states should have equal status in the world order

Question 31

Liberal nationalists

Answer 31

accept that all nations have an equal right to their freedom and sovereignty
Stresses the equality of nations, that each nations sovereignty should be respected
The influence of the enlightenment and its stress on rational thinking and the right of individuals to determine their own free will led nationalists to believe that the nation-states was the ultimate expression of rational government

Question 32

Liberal nationalists accepted ruling families for three reasons

Answer 32

Through fear if they rebelled
Through a belief in tradition
A lack of any credible theory of government
(During enlightenment, this changed)

Question 33

Liberal nationalism state

Answer 33

Hereditary rulers had denied rights in favour of their divine right to rule and rights could only be restored if the people became involved in the establishment of government
If rights were to be sacrificed by individuals and granted governments. This had to be through consent
First written into the American constitution in 1787

Question 34

Conservative Nationalism (where it exists)

Answer 34

Tends to exist in older nation-states like the UK and France
When countries have existed for centuries and their existence has not come under threat for many decades or even centuries, creating a sense of national unity and purpose can be difficult

Question 35

Conservative nationalism example (Putin in Russia)

Answer 35

Tried to play elite liberals and conservatives against each other
Liberals deserted him
The kremlin is very conservative, less educated and old
Nationalism is based on 80% of citizens being ethnically russian but the birth rate is below replacement so relies on migrants

Question 36

Conservative nationalism

Answer 36

Conservatives saw that using nationalism to focus on shared traditions, history and culture could create a common bond within a nation, which could override issues that divided its people

Question 37

Primary concerns of conservative nationalists

Answer 37

Concerned with conserving society as it is; conservative nationalism sees the nation as a focal point of national unity, helping to bind people together
Seeks to remind its citizens of what they have in common and what past experiences they share - what historical catastrophes and political storms they have endured together

Question 38

Conservative nationalism - Irrational

Answer 38

The state and associated institutions - such as the monarchy - are a source of unity that embodies the spirit of the nation
National celebrations, such as anniversaries of historic victories, commemorate the uniqueness of the culture
Encourages an emotional, nostalgic view of the nation and uses rituals and ceremonies to appeal to people’s deep cultural connection to their nation
In this sense, it’s irrational - it’s based on emotions, not reason and logic

Question 39

Conservative nationalism - Exclusive

Answer 39

A
To feel part of the nation, you need to have shared the historical events that bind society together
For example, if you weren’t in the UK during the Blitz, you can’t understand the Blitz spirit
People are excluded from feeling part of a nation until they have shared experiences as part of the nation

Question 40

Conservative nationalism - Inward

Answer 40

It aims to defend its own national identity and way of life, rather than concern itself with the interests of other nations
To be part of the nation, you must be prepared to give up any customs/traditions of your own that go against the national character

Question 41

Black nationalism examples

Answer 41

In the USA, Malcolm X created a black nationalist movement that combined islamic principles with racial identity
Muhammed Ali was a prominent adherent

Question 42

Anti-Colonial nationalism

Answer 42

indigenous people question and reject colonial authority and power, usually at the same time there is a rise in the sense of nationhood

Question 43

Post - Colonial nationalism

Answer 43

experiences once they have achieved independence

Question 44

Scramble for Africa

Answer 44

To european powers, africa was an untapped natural resource with an undeveloped economy, and the potential to bring in huge profits, along with the opportunity to spread their own culture, language and religion across the globe
The Berlin conference (1884-85) aimed to regulate colonisation and trade in africa, and wsa the start of a period when european powers wiped out most autonomous forms of government
Before this, only 10% of Africa was under colonial rule, but 1914, the figure was 90%

Question 45

Expansionist Nationalism

Answer 45

There is no clear philosophy behind expansionist nationalism, but these forms tend to exist alongside a belief in chauvinism

Question 46

National chauvinism

Answer 46

the belief in the superiority of one nation, and the inferiority of others

Question 47

Examples of chauvanism

Answer 47

It’s typically associated with the fascist regimes in 1930s and 1940s Germany, Italy and Japan, but could also be seen in the scramble for africa
The aryan race were the master race, superior to the slavic race who occupied a huge area of east germany, which was full of natural and mineral resources

Question 48

Reasons for expansionist nationalism

Answer 48

expanding into other territories was for economic self-sufficiency (autarky), rejecting any reliance and co-operation with other nations

Question 49

Rational v. Romantic Nationalism

Answer 49

Rational nationalists see the nation as serving the state rather than serving the nation
Romantic nationalism stresses the importance of language and culture, with the interests of the nation above those of the state, the state exists to serve the nation and its organic unity

Question 50

Progressive v. Regressive

Answer 50

Progressive seeks to improve society and believe that nationalist sentiment can achieve desired aims
Regressive nationalists tend to be backward looking
Celebrate a past ‘golden age’ when the nation was dominant and wish to return to tradition values (Conservative)

Question 51

Inclusive v. Exclusive

Answer 51

Inclusive do not see nationality as a reason for excluding people from the state
Exclusive (nativists) stress the shared historical experience of people and resist large scale immigration

Question 52

Liberal v. Conservative

Answer 52

Liberal combines two elements - the freedom of the whole nation and individual freedom
Conservative promoted independent nations based on culture, language or religion but do not link this with democracy
Conservatives don’t only exist in monarchies or authoritarian states

Question 53

Racialism v. Multiculturalism

Answer 53

Racialists stress the division of people into ethnic groups
Racial differences are important, sometimes tolerated, sometimes celebrated (UKIP ‘identity politics’)
Multiculturalists believe that cultural differences are not important as far as citizenship is concerned
While a variety of cultures may enrich society, the state shouldn’t favour races

Question 54

Nationalism v. Internationalism

Answer 54

A
Nationalism was a dominant force in the 20th century
As globalisation picked up, nationalist forces have strengthened against it
Internationalism is based on the idea that the problems of the working class were international in nature
After WWII, european politicians were interested in an international government (treaty of versailles, UN)

Question 55

Expansionist v. Nativism

Answer 55

When nationalism becomes almost the whole historical destiny of a nation, it can lead to a tendency towards expansionism
In the past, this was converted into imperialism and colonisation, but this is no longer a realistic option
Nativism is inward looking, it seeks to cut itself off from the world (isolationism) so that it can care for the interests only of its own people