How Important has Nationalism been in Shaping the modern world?
How important has nationalism been in shaping our modern world? Do you believe that the appeal of nationalism will diminish in the future?
Nationalism has been extremely important and influential in shaping the modern world we see today, causing revolutions, rebellions and the constant reshaping of world maps continuing even today. Its appeal is something that I don’t believe will diminish in the future. Many theologians and political commentators alike agree that Nationalism has perhaps been one of the most prominent political ideologies of the modern world “No single political doctrine has played a more prominent role in shaping the face of the modern world than nationalism” 1, and doesn’t look like ceasing to be as influential anytime soon. Nationalist political parties, organisations and armed movements all over the world all demonstrate different kinds of nationalism, although they are all alike in one way or another. Although not always successful, nationalist movements can be found worldwide, either by way of conflict or political dialogue many have failed and many have succeeded. In this essay I will look at two main perspectives of nationalism, as well as some approaches and ideas used by these perspectives of nationalism and the ways in which they have shaped the modern world we live in today. These being primordialism and modernism, the technique of ethno-symbolism, I will also examine some new approaches to nationalism in today’s modern world.
Primordialsim is an approach to nationalism, and should not be confused as a separate nationalist ideology. It is based on the belief in the naturalness and purity of a nation, with common language, religious beliefs, culture and most importantly ethnicity2. Primordialists believe that nations have been around for time immemorial, and the strength and legitimacy of such nations are proven by ethnic and cultural connections. Although there are less extreme forms of primordialism all categories are essentially
Nationalism has been extremely important and influential in shaping the modern world we see today, causing revolutions, rebellions and the constant reshaping of world maps continuing even today. Its appeal is something that I don’t believe will diminish in the future. Many theologians and political commentators alike agree that Nationalism has perhaps been one of the most prominent political ideologies of the modern world “No single political doctrine has played a more prominent role in shaping the face of the modern world than nationalism” 1, and doesn’t look like ceasing to be as influential anytime soon. Nationalist political parties, organisations and armed movements all over the world all demonstrate different kinds of nationalism, although they are all alike in one way or another. Although not always successful, nationalist movements can be found worldwide, either by way of conflict or political dialogue many have failed and many have succeeded. In this essay I will look at two main perspectives of nationalism, as well as some approaches and ideas used by these perspectives of nationalism and the ways in which they have shaped the modern world we live in today. These being primordialism and modernism, the technique of ethno-symbolism, I will also examine some new approaches to nationalism in today’s modern world.
Primordialsim is an approach to nationalism, and should not be confused as a separate nationalist ideology. It is based on the belief in the naturalness and purity of a nation, with common language, religious beliefs, culture and most importantly ethnicity2. Primordialists believe that nations have been around for time immemorial, and the strength and legitimacy of such nations are proven by ethnic and cultural connections. Although there are less extreme forms of primordialism all categories are essentially
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