Nationalism

Abstract

Nationalism is one of the key political ideologies of the twentieth century. As such it arouses great controversy and passionate debate. Writers differ concerning the definition, meaning, origins and consequences of nationalism. There is agreement, however, that nationalism is mainly a nineteenth- and twentieth-century phenomenon. It is thus a modern ideology. In the previous chapter James Mayall described nationalism as one of the four components of the modernising mythology and the readings in this chapter explore the meanings and consequences of nationalism in the contemporary international system. Although the modern state is conventionally held to be a nation-state (despite the many anomalies) and national self-determination is an agreed doctrine on which to found a state (although such claims are sometimes ignored) nationalism as a political force gives rise to conflicting responses. This arises mainly because it is both an integrative and disintegrative force and its effects on peoples and societies are uneven and differentiated. Nationalism is an integrative force for the insiders and disintegrative for outsiders. For some nationalism is a positive force in world politics and it provides the basis for equality among different groups. The triumph of nationalism in the current century can be seen of course in the proliferation of the state and the extension of the idea that the primary focus for loyalty is the nation.