Q1. Define nationalism. Discuss its essential features and explain how it differs from patriotism.

Introduction

Nationalism is one of the most influential and contentious ideologies in the modern world. Emerging prominently in the 18th and 19th centuries, nationalism has profoundly shaped global political developments—from the rise of nation-states and decolonization movements to contemporary debates on sovereignty and identity. While patriotism is often used interchangeably with nationalism, the two embody fundamentally different emotional, philosophical, and political dimensions.

Definition of Nationalism

Nationalism can be defined as a political ideology and movement that asserts that a nation—a group of people with common cultural, ethnic, linguistic, or historical characteristics—has the right to self-determination, often through political sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The term “nationalism” gained prominence during the late 18th century, particularly with the French Revolution (1789), which gave political expression to the idea that sovereignty resided with “the people” rather than a monarch or divine authority. The nation thus became a source of legitimacy for political power.

Hans Kohn, a leading scholar on nationalism, distinguishes between two major types:

• Civic nationalism (based on shared political values and citizenship, as seen in France and the U.S.)
• Ethnic nationalism (based on shared ancestry, language, and culture, exemplified by Germany and Eastern Europe)

Essential Features of Nationalism

1. Belief in a Common National Identity: At the heart of nationalism lies the notion of a shared national identity. This may be based on language, culture, religion, ethnicity, or shared historical experiences. Nationalism posits that individuals who share this identity constitute a distinct nation.
2. Desire for Political Sovereignty: One of the defining features of nationalism is the demand for self-rule or autonomy. This may manifest as the quest for a nation-state, wherein the boundaries of the nation and the state coincide. This principle was solidified by Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918), especially the idea of national self-determination.
3. Creation and Use of National Symbols: Nationalism often relies on symbols such as flags, anthems, and national holidays to create a sense of belonging and emotional attachment to the nation. These elements serve as markers of national identity and tools of political mobilization.
4. Construction of Historical Narratives: Nationalism entails the construction or reinterpretation of history to foster national unity. Events are selectively remembered or mythologized to build a shared sense of past and destiny. For example, India’s nationalist movement often invoked ancient civilizational achievements to inspire resistance against colonial rule.
5. Exclusivity and ‘Othering’: While nationalism creates an in-group identity, it can also foster exclusionary practices. Nationalism may delineate insiders and outsiders, often leading to xenophobia, ethnic tensions, or conflict. This is evident in ethnic cleansing campaigns such as those in the Balkans during the 1990s.
6. Mass Mobilization and Popular Sovereignty: Nationalism is a mass-based ideology that mobilizes large segments of society around a shared cause. It often overlaps with populist sentiments and has been a driving force in revolutions, wars of independence, and national integration.
7. Role in Anti-Colonial Struggles: In the 20th century, nationalism served as the ideological backbone of anti-colonial movements in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Kwame Nkrumah, and Ho Chi Minh used nationalist rhetoric to challenge colonial authority and demand independence.
8. Territorial Integrity and Boundaries: Nationalism often assumes that the nation must have a defined geographic territory, and any violation of this territory is viewed as a threat to national identity. For instance, the Israel-Palestine conflict is rooted in competing nationalisms tied to the same land.

Theoretical Approaches to Nationalism

1. Primordialism
   Primordialists argue that nations are ancient and natural communities bound by kinship and cultural ties. This view sees nationalism as a reflection of deeply rooted ethnic identities.

2. Modernism
   Modernist scholars like Benedict Anderson, Eric Hobsbawm, and Ernest Gellner argue that nationalism is a modern construct that arose with industrialization, print capitalism, and the modern state apparatus.

   • Anderson’s “Imagined Communities” (1983): Nations are imagined because members will never know most of their fellow-citizens, yet they conceive of themselves as part of a shared entity.

   • Gellner’s theory emphasized the role of industrialization, which required a standardized culture and language for bureaucratic and economic efficiency.

3. Ethno-symbolism
   Scholars like Anthony D. Smith argue that modern nationalism is rooted in pre-modern ethnic communities (ethnies), whose symbols and myths are reinterpreted in modern contexts.

Nationalism vs. Patriotism

While nationalism and patriotism both relate to allegiance to one’s country, they differ in fundamental ways:

Conclusion

Nationalism, as a dynamic and multifaceted ideology, has been both a force of liberation and a cause of division. It has helped forge national unity, resist imperial domination, and inspire democratic movements. Yet, its darker manifestations have led to ethnic conflict, genocide, and authoritarian regimes.

In contrast, patriotism is a more measured and inclusive sentiment, grounded in a love for one’s country and commitment to its ideals, without necessitating exclusion or hostility towards others.

Understanding the distinction between nationalism and patriotism is crucial in an age of globalization, identity politics, and resurgent populism. While national identity can serve as a source of strength and cohesion, it must be tempered by pluralism, democracy, and universal human values to avoid the perils of exclusion and extremism.