Unit 3 - Key Themes in Political Analysis (NATIONALISM)
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PEARSON (PEARSON)
Extensive A-Level Politics Nationalism revision notes - including key terms, essay plans and different strands of nationalism with beliefs of the five key different thinkers. Has areas of agreement and disagreement between strands.
Unit 3 - Key Themes in Political Analysis (NATIONALISM)
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Areas of agreement on human nature:
Emphasis on human potential: Both liberal nationalists and post-colonial nationalists recognize the inherent
potential of individuals. They believe that individuals have the capacity to contribute to society and should
be given opportunities to develop and thrive.
- Rousseau emphasized the idea of the "general will" and believed that humans are inherently good
- Garvey emphasised the resilience and potential of marginalized communities.
Emphasis on collective identity: Both conservative nationalists and expansionist nationalists emphasize the
importance of collective identity, rooted in the nation or a particular cultural or ethnic group. They believe
that individuals are shaped by their membership in a specific community and that this community's values,
traditions, and heritage form an essential part of their identity.
- Conservatives have a more traditional view as it is based on the volksgeist – people are the root of a
national culture and possess a special nature; there is a special spirit that binds people together and
it can be variously based on language, culture, shared history etc. The supporter of this idea is
Johann von Herder
- Charles Maurras believed in the idea of integral nationalism and some of its qualities which include
anti-individualism and aggressive expansionism. A major tenet of integral nationalism is the total
immersion of the individual in the interests of the nation.
Preservation of traditions: Both groups value the preservation of traditions and cultural heritage.
Conservative nationalists and expansionist nationalists recognize the importance of maintaining and
safeguarding cultural customs, language, and historical legacies, considering them vital components of a
nation's identity.
The beliefs about human nature among liberal nationalists (Rousseau/Mazzini), conservative nationalists (von
Herder), and expansionist nationalists (Maurras) can vary. These are some general tendencies associated with each
perspective:
Liberal Nationalists (Rousseau/Mazzini): Liberal nationalists often have an optimistic view of human nature and
emphasize the potential for progress and self-determination. Some key beliefs include:
Innate Goodness: Liberal nationalists tend to believe that humans are inherently good and possess natural
rights and freedoms. They view individuals as capable of reason, moral judgment, and the pursuit of their
own happiness.
Social Cooperation: They believe that humans have a natural inclination to cooperate and form social bonds.
They see society as a means to promote mutual benefit, protect individual rights, and achieve collective
goals.
Civic nationalism: all liberals support civic nationalism. They believe that individuals can choose which nation
to be a part of – this is rational and inclusive as it implies rational choice. The supporter of this idea is Jean
Jacques Rousseau who believed in the idea of civic nationalism
Conservative Nationalists (von Herder): Conservative nationalists often have a more nuanced view of human
nature, recognizing both positive and negative aspects. Some key beliefs include:
Cultural Embeddedness: Conservative nationalists believe that humans are shaped by their cultural,
historical, and social context. They emphasize the importance of tradition, customs, and shared values in
shaping individuals and society.
Natural Hierarchies: They recognize that humans have different capabilities, talents, and roles within society.
They believe that hierarchies and social order are necessary for a stable and functioning society.
Need for Stability and Continuity: Conservative nationalists emphasize the need for stability, continuity, and
a sense of belonging. They believe that humans seek security and identity in familiar social structures and
traditions.
Volksgeist: conservatives have a more traditional view as it is based on the volksgeist – people are the root
of a national culture and possess a special nature; there is a special spirit that binds people together and it
can be variously based on language, culture, shared history etc.
The supporter of this idea is Johann von Herder, who believed that the world was naturally divide into
nations, each one of which was defined by its own distinctive culture. He believed in the idea of the
volksgeist, and that people have a common experience that bind them together. This is clearly an irrational,
exclusive and regressive form of nationalism as it takes time to be part of the nation and it does not promote
mutual rights of each individual to be part of whichever nation they want, unlike Rousseau’s more liberal
ideas do.
Expansionist Nationalists (Maurras): Expansionist nationalists may have a more assertive view of human nature,
emphasizing power, ambition, and the pursuit of dominance. Some key beliefs include:
, Competitive Nature: Expansionist nationalists may believe that humans have a competitive and ambitious
nature, seeking to assert their dominance and expand their influence.
Drive for Greatness: They often emphasize human aspirations for greatness and the desire to establish their
nation's superiority. They may believe that humans are driven by the pursuit of power, glory, and national
prestige.
Cultural Supremacy: Expansionist nationalists may hold the belief in the cultural superiority of their own
nation, seeing it as inherent in human nature to value and promote one's own culture above others.
These forms often result in integral nationalism – an intense, hysterical form of nationalism in which the
individual is absorbed into the nation. This is clearly an irrational and reactionary as it based on aggression
and integral nationalist states are usually totalitarian.
The supporter of this idea is Charles Maurras who believed in the idea of integral nationalism and some of its
qualities which include anti-individualism and aggressive expansionism. A major tenet of integral nationalism
is the total immersion of the individual in the interests of the nation, which clearly highlights the way in
which this form of nationalism is irrational and regressive.
Areas of agreement on the state:
Self-determination: Both groups advocate for the self-determination of nations or communities. Liberal
nationalists emphasize the importance of individuals being able to participate in the governance of their own
communities, while post-colonial nationalists emphasize the right of colonized or oppressed communities to
determine their own political destiny.
- Rousseau advocated for representative government, constitutional rights, and individual liberties,
emphasizing the idea of popular sovereignty and limited government interference. The general will:
Rousseau argues that the state should be based on the general will of the people, representing the
common interests and welfare of the community.
- Garvey sought independence from colonial rule and the establishment of self-governing states that
would promote the interests and rights of marginalised or oppressed groups.
Strong state authority: Both conservative nationalists and expansionist nationalists support a strong central
authority in the state. They believe that a powerful and unified state is necessary to protect and promote the
interests of the nation, maintain social order, and preserve cultural values.
- Conservative nationalists emphasise the need for stability, continuity, and a sense of belonging. They
believe that humans seek security and identity in familiar social structures and traditions. They
believe that hierarchies and social order are necessary for a stable and functioning society.
- Centralised Authority: Maurras advocated for a powerful central authority and a strong executive
branch of government. He believed that a centralized state was essential for maintaining order,
stability, and the pursuit of national interests.
Rousseau, von Herder, and Maurras, as representatives of different nationalist ideologies, have distinct views on the
role and nature of the state.
Rousseau (Liberal Nationalist): Rousseau's views on the state are shaped by his social contract theory and his
emphasis on individual freedom. While Rousseau's primary focus was on the relationship between individuals and
the state within a specific society, his ideas have been associated with liberal nationalism. Some key aspects of
Rousseau's beliefs about the state include:
The General Will: Rousseau argues that the state should be based on the general will of the people,
representing the common interests and welfare of the community. He believed that individuals should come
together to form a sovereign body that acts in the best interests of all citizens.
Limited Government: Rousseau advocated for a limited government with powers restricted to the protection
of individual freedoms and the enforcement of the general will. He believed that excessive governmental
intervention could lead to the oppression of individuals and the erosion of liberty.
Popular Sovereignty: Rousseau stressed the importance of popular sovereignty, with the people as the
ultimate source of political power. He believed in a participatory democracy where citizens are actively
involved in decision-making processes.
Von Herder (Conservative Nationalist): Johann Gottfried Herder, often associated with conservative nationalism,
emphasized the cultural and historical identity of a nation. His views on the state reflect a belief in the importance
of preserving national heritage, traditions, and values. Key elements of von Herder's beliefs about the state
include:
Organic Nation: von Herder viewed the nation as an organic entity with its own unique character and spirit.
He believed that the state should foster and protect the cultural and linguistic identity of the nation.
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