Nationalism Core Values

The Nation

• 
• This value states that the nation should be the core political organisation. Nations can be simply described as cultural entities, groups of people bound together by shared values and traditions, usually occupying the same geographic area.
• The nation can be defined by objective factors; those people who meet certain criteria belong to the nation, while others are considered non-nationals. However, there is no specific means to determining where and when a nation exists.
• Language is often seen as the clearest symbol of nationhood e.g. German language produced cultural unity
• Yet, some areas have no common identities even though they share languages e.g. New Zealand
• Religion also is seen as another marker of nationhood as people share common moral and spiritual beliefs
• Ethnic or racial unity - mainly on a cultural basis. People share a common history and tradition which have been preserved by their past successes e.g. the Jews (nation of Israel)

Nation-State

• UNESCO defines a nation-state as “ is an area where the cultural boundaries match up with the political boundaries."
• Oxford English Dictionary defines a nation-state as “a sovereign state of which most of the citizens or subjects are united also by factors which define a nation, such as language or common descent.”
• A nation state is where the political entity of the state joins to the cultural entity of the nation:
• A state can be seen as a political entity
• The nation is the cultural or ethnic part
• This results in the promotion of a specific cultural group within the state
• Examples of early forms of nation-states include: the Dutch Republic and United States of America. Further, not everyone adheres to the principle of nation-states.
• 

Organic Community

• 
• Humans are divided into nations that all possess varying characteristics and differing identities. You will find national ties and loyalties in any society (they endure over time and operate on instinct). There are two approaches here:
• Primordialist Approach: Anthony Smith argued that national identity is historically embedded. He illustrates in his works the continuity between modern nations and pre-modern ethnic groups. He argues there is little difference between ethnicity and nationality; modern nations are really just updated ancient ethnic communities.
• Situationalist Approach: Ernest Gellner contended that national identity is a product forged in response to changing situations. He outlines in his approach the link between nationalism and modernisation.

National Community

• This is a particular type of community argued be Ferdinand Tonnies, known as Gemeinschaft:
• Founded in traditional societies
• Display of natural affection and mutual respect between people
• Emphasis on the community:
• People desire to create unity
• Each person in the nation has a role and common goal
• Strive for the common good
• 

Self-Determination

• This relates to Jean Jacques Rousseau's emphasis on popular sovereignty ("general will"):
• The government should be based on the collective will of the entire community
• Nationhood and statehood are linked concepts
• Nations want to maintain political independence; usually seen through the principle of national self-determination
• The aim is to establish a nation-state (one nation within a single state)
• The most desirable form of government is when a political organisation is founded on people who share a common identity
• These people gain the right to self-government
• Nationalism, therefore, acts to legitimise the authority of the governing body

Identity

• 
• Nationalism tells people who they are:
• Their history
• Develops social bonds and collective goals
• Creates a sense of destiny beyond the individual
• Moreover, cultural nationalism argues for the strengthening of cultural identity instead of political demands.
• Political nationalism can be considered rational; cultural nationalism is 'mystical'. Von Herder commented on the importance of differing national consciousnesses; each nation has a Volkgeist (national spirit). Nationalism plays a role in highlighting and making people aware of the nation's culture, traditions and history.

Culturalism and Racialism

• Culturalism (Cultural Nationalism):
• Culturalism represents the idea that nations are determined by their culture. These cultures are closed and are organic; the individual cannot leave his or her own culture. This means certain cultures should have claims to certain rights and protections (even if they may violate others individual rights). Nationalism is argued as a subtype by culturalists.
• Culturalism argues that a single culture provides the basis for the state. The focus of culturalism is national identity founded on the basis of cultural traditions and language, not common ancestry or race.
• Continued >
• Culturalism relies on the integration of various ethnic groups. People can obtain a more clear sense of themselves through expressing national pride.
• Racialism:
• Based on ideas of racial superiority and biology. This is the expression of race as the basis for national identity. Racialism is the means of preserving the nation through banning race mixing and immigration of other peoples.
• Two of the main fundamental principles can be boiled down to:
• Racial integrity must be protected against contamination from outside forces
• Our homelands belong to us and no one else

Internationalism

• 
• Internationalism is a political principle that goes beyond nationalism to promote greater cooperation (politically and economically) amongst the nations of the world.
• Internationalists argue that the world should unite across national, cultural, political, racial etc. boundaries, in order to achieve the common good. It should also be in the interests of every nation to cooperate in the long run.
• Internationalists are opposed to nationalism, jingoism, chauvinism and warfare. Internationalism is an important strand of socialist political thinking.
• Internationalists put forward the idea that intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations can aid in facilitating cooperation among nations; nations should stop being so preoccupied with national interests.

Internationalism

• Internationalism believes in the sovereignty of nations, but encourages multilateralism (world leadership should not be dominated by one country).
• Liberal internationalism is a foreign policy doctrine that argues that liberal states should intervene in other sovereign states in order to pursue liberal objectives. An example of this is organisations committing to liberal values of universal human rights.
• Socialism internationalism is based upon the twin principles of equality and social justice for the whole world. Nations need to work together in order to bring an end to exploitation of the capitalist system. In this ideology, identity is determined by economic forces rather than national boundaries. This most clear expression of this ideology is the international organisation Socialist International.
• Some Internationalists desire some form of democratic globalization in the form of a world government. While others argue for a strengthening of supranational entities such as the United Nations.