Nationalism is the political identity focus that makes most people feel patriotic about their country, but not their hometown or their planet. This identification is our traditional political orientation. It has helped configure world politics for several centuries and will continue to shape people's minds and affairs in the foreseeable future. Few would argue with the observation that nationalism reigned as "the nineteenth and twentieth centuries' most powerful political idea" (Taras& Ganguly, 1998:xi). Despite its strength, however, nationalism today is not as unchallenged as it once was. Some even doubt whether it will or should continue and predict or advocate various transnational alternative orientations.
How do you feel about nationalism, especially since the 9/11 attacks? Is your national pride stronger now than ever? Or do you feel more than ever a part of a transnational community? The following activities will help you place the concept of nationalism in perspective.
Explain the place of nationalism and the nation-state in today’s world where transnational and other structures and identifications are also increasing in scope and intensity. Define your own sense of international identity by completing a questionnaire. |
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Understand nationalism as the product of historical development by assessing the role of ethnonational groups around the world such as Kosovo, Iran, and Iraq. |
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Discuss why nationalism may be said to be both a cohesive and a divisive force by looking at ethnic beliefs and identity such as Buddhism in Tibet then commenting on various situations. |
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Identify and explain the ideal concept of nation-state and its relationship to nationalism by reviewing the growth of independent sovereign states on a map . |
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Learn more about the concept of nationalism by studying the material at selected Web sites. |