Introduction

Abstract

Liberal defences of nationalism have become prevalent, almost redundant, in modern political thought. The idea that there is, or can be, such a thing as ‘liberal nationalism’, has been pursued extensively (if not excessively) since the mid 1980s. Many arguments have been put forward concerning national cultures and their importance to individuals, cultural rights, the rights of disadvantaged indigenous minorities and those of immigrant groups, and so forth. Nationalism, however, involves land; Anthony Smith goes so far as to claim that it is primarily about land,¹ and he points to ‘a curious neglect of the territorial aspects of the nation and nationalism. Forwhat ever else itmay be, nationalism always involves a struggle for land, or an assertion about rights to land; and the nation, almost by definition, requires a territorial base in which to take root and fulfill the needs of its members.’² Similarly, Hillel Steiner has recently pointed out, ‘it’s fair to say that territorial claims, though not the sole objects of nationalist preoccupation, have probably excited more of its passion than any other type of issue‘.³