Role of Nationalism

Nationalism is a term used to express a group’s sentiments for their nation. Normally, nationalism is a way of expressing a type of political belief or stance that is directly linked to their nation. Many people will consider nationalism to be a type of patriotism, as nationalists closely relate to this through significance and honor of their nation. Nationalism is based off of core values which are prominent in their practices and vary in the types of specific beliefs or agendas.

Nationalism can be described in several different types of view-points, varying from the basic political perspective to the mental and psychological, to the affects in the sociological view point. Across the world, there are countless groups and organizations which are based off of Nationalism in their practices and beliefs. While many people are aware of The infamous Nazi party, short for National Socialist German Worker’s Party, there are and have been various other groups which held common beliefs of nationalism in their pride of origins and living. For the Nazis, racism, which is a type of nationalist, was a prominent, if not all powerful sector in their belief system.

Along with racist Nationalism, there is a myriad of types. Some other prominent nationalist groups may adhere to ethnic nationalism, economic nationalism, civic nationalism, or religious nationalism. Ethnic nationalism adheres to the sense of their nation being their given ethnicity. So, the people in these groups would all have similar, if not, all common ethnicity stemming from the same nationality. Economic nationalism is where different policies seek control domestically, usually through labor restrictions and often tariffs. Most economic nationalists disagree with globalization overall. Henry Clay’s system the “American System” is a prime example of this.

Other types of nationalism are common in society as well. Civic nationalism is a type of nationalism which finds primary meaning in freedom and equality and characteristics which tie in with the two. Overall, civic nationalism focuses on the functionality and success in a person through living meaningful lives and being able to function individualistically in society, Religious nationalism is, as it sounds, tied to a variety of religious beliefs or affiliations. Often we see government endorsing or sponsoring a national church, and this is a type of religious nationalism. Many places such as Egypt, Libya or Pakistan practice religious nationalism through these functions, showing the pride in their religious beliefs.

Nationalism overall is a group of people seeking to express pride and honor to their belief systems, regardless of what it may be. While many groups in history have been infamous for their unpopular beliefs and practices, not all nationalist groups are extremists. The core values of nationalism seek to bring honor to a group of people and the way they believe is the most proper to live. Out of the few types of nationalism listed, there are dozens more which are practiced across the globe.