Introduction
Nationalism is one of the most powerful and differentiating forces in modern history. Often described as a double-edged sword, it possesses the unique capacity to build civilizations or tear them apart. Whether it serves as a force of unity or division depends heavily on how it is defined and the context in which it is applied.
Nationalism refers to a shared sense of identity, belonging, and loyalty to a nation, often based on common culture, language, history, or political goals. It has inspired liberation movements, fostered unity among diverse populations, and strengthened statehood. At the same time, nationalism has also fueled intolerance, exclusion, conflict, and even war.
Nationalism can be Broadly Categorized into Different Forms Such as:
Civic Nationalism, Based on shared political values, citizenship, and commitment to democratic principles.
Ethnic or Cultural Nationalism, Rooted in common ancestry, religion, language, or culture.
Anti-colonial Nationalism, A unifying force against foreign domination.
Extreme or Narrow-minded Nationalism, Characterized by superiority, exclusion, and hostility toward others.
Nationalism as a Force for Unity:
Nationalism, when acting as a force for unity, functions as the social glue that binds individuals into a collective whole. It transforms a disparate population into a community with shared goals, providing the psychological and political foundation necessary for modern governance.
How Nationalism Fosters Unity
Shared Identity: It creates a strong sense of belonging by highlighting common language, history, traditions, and values, transcending internal differences like race or religion.
Collective Purpose: It unites citizens under a common goal, motivating them to work together for national advancement, defense, and progress.
Self-Determination: It’s a driving force for people to seek sovereignty and self-governance, as seen in decolonization and nation-building.
Cultural Pride: It encourages the protection and promotion of a nation’s heritage, arts, and customs, strengthening national character.
Examples in Action
Unification: Nationalism helped unite split German and Italian states into single nations in the 19th century.
Independence: It fueled movements for freedom, like the French Revolution, where people united against monarchy.
National Development: Pride in one’s nation can drive innovation and economic strength as citizens strive for global respect.
The Double-Edged Sword
Divisive Potential: When nationalism becomes about superiority or exclusion (ethnocentrism, xenophobia), it creates conflict and division, both within and between nations, as seen in the breakup of multi-ethnic empires like the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Nationalism as a Force for Division:
Nationalism becomes a divisive force when it fosters an us vs. them mentality, prioritizing one nation’s interests above all others, leading to exclusion, prejudice, conflict, and even violence against minorities or other nations, as seen in Nazi Germany, the breakup of Yugoslavia, and the persecution of Rohingya in Myanmar, contrasting with its unifying potential for shared identity. This aggressive nationalism fuels xenophobia, territorial disputes, ethnic cleansing, secessionist movements, and hinders global cooperation, creating internal divisions and external tensions.
Forms of Nationalist Division
Division occurs on three distinct levels: within the state, between neighboring states, and against the global community.
- Internal Rifts: Ethnic vs. Civic
When a nation defines itself by ethnicity (“Blood and Soil”), it automatically creates a second-class status for minorities.
Membership Penalties: Minorities may face “penalties” where they are judged less deserving of social services, legal protection, or political representation because they aren’t seen as “prototypical” citizens.
Cultural Erasure: The state may force minorities to assimilate, banning their languages or religions to maintain a monolithic national identity, which often leads to civil unrest or insurgency.
- International Conflict: Irredentism and Superiority
Nationalism can turn neighbors into enemies through two specific ideologies:
Irredentism: The belief that a nation should “reclaim” territory where its ethnic kin live. This has been a primary cause of war, from the 19th-century Balkans to the modern conflict in Ukraine.
Hype nationalism: The belief that one’s nation is fundamentally exceptional and superior. This leads to aggressive foreign policies and a “zero-sum” view of global politics, where one nation’s gain must be another’s loss.
- Economic Division: Protectionism
Economic nationalism divides the global market by prioritizing domestic industry at the expense of international cooperation.
Trade Wars: By imposing tariffs and quotas to “protect the nation,” countries can trigger retaliatory measures that destabilize the global economy and strain diplomatic ties.
Examples of Nationalism as a Dividing Force
Yugoslavia: The death of Tito allowed competing ethnic nationalisms to resurface, leading to violent fragmentation.
Nazi Germany: Ultranationalism fueled racial purity ideologies, justifying the Holocaust.
India: Rising Hindu nationalism challenges the nation’s secular foundations, impacting minority rights.
Myanmar: State-sponsored nationalism led to the persecution and ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Muslims.
Conclusion
Nationalism is a dialectical contradiction: it is a tool for building communities and a weapon for destroying them. Whether it results in unity or division depends entirely on the criteria for belonging.
READ: The Concept of Post-Nationalism