Nationalism: Origins

Origins of Nationalism

The term Nationalism derives from the Latin word ‘natio’, meaning birth or race.
It’s a modern political ideology that only fully emerged in the late 18th Century, around the time of the French and American Revolutions.
Nationalism was heavily influenced by the enlightenment ideals of individualism and self-determination.
It is founded on the belief that the nation should be the central principle of political organisation.

This is based on shared political values and institutions rather than on common ethnicity or culture.
Bone of contention: Civic nationalism can be seen in countries like the United States and France, where diverse ethnic and cultural groups unite under a common set of civic values.

This form of nationalism is linked to a particular ethnic group or culture and often includes a shared language, faith, and historical experiences.
Examples include movements for independence in places like Scotland and Catalonia where shared culture and history play a significant role.

Nationalism is commonly used by states to unify the population and elicit loyalty.
Example: North Korea and the former Soviet Union have utilised state nationalism as a tool for control and unity.

This ideology merges liberalist principles such as freedom, equality, and individual rights with nationalist principles.
This can be seen in the American Revolution, where the people fought for both liberty and independence from Britain.

This is a form of nationalism that supports extending a nation’s authority over other territories, often justified by claiming to bring certain benefits to the subjugated territory.
A classic example is British imperialism, which led to the creation of the British Empire.