Noun

Singular nationalism

Plural nationalisms

nationalism (plural nationalisms)

1. The idea of supporting one's country and culture.
2. Supporting a national identity when it does not exist as a sovereign nation, for example, Basque nationalism, Kurdish nationalism.
3. jingoism. The support of one nation's interests to the exclusion of others.
4. patriotism.

Nationalism generally involves the identification of an ethnic identity with a state. The subject can include the belief that one's nation is of primary importance. It is also used to describe a movement to establish or protect a homeland (usually an autonomous state) for an ethnic group. In some cases the identification of a homogeneous national culture is combined with a negative view of other races of cultures.

In former eras, people were generally loyal to a city or to a particular leader rather than to their nation. Encyclopedia Britannica identifies the movement's genesis with the late-18th century American Revolution and French Revolution; other historians point specifically to the ultra-nationalist party in France during the French Revolution. Nationalism is sometimes reactionary, calling for a return to an idealized version of the national past and sometimes for the expulsion of foreigners. Other forms of nationalism are revolutionary, calling for the establishment of an independent state as a homeland for an ethnic underclass.

Nationalism emphasises collective identity - a 'people' must be autonomous, united, and express a single national culture. However, some nationalists stress individualism as an important part of their own national identity.

Quotes regarding nationalism.

For

• Nations whose nationalism is destroyed are subject to ruin.
  • Muammar al-Gaddafi

• Nationalism is defined simply as: what makes you allowed to criticize your country when you have never done anything for it?
  • Putera S. Sambijantoro

• Our hearts where they rocked our cradle Our love where we spent our toil, And our faith, and our hope, and our honor, We pledge to our native soil. God gave all men all earth to love But since our hearts are small Ordained for each one spot should prove Beloved over all.
  • Rudyard Kipling

Against

• Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.
  • Albert Einstein

• Nationalism is our form of incest, is our idolatry, is our insanity. "Patriotism" is its cult.
  • Erich Fromm, The Sane Society (1955)

• Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
  • Samuel Johnson

• Nationalism is power hunger tempered by self-deception.
  • George Orwell

• Nationalism ... is like cheap alcohol. First it makes you drunk, then it makes you blind, then it kills you.
  • Dan Fried, US diplomat (Jan 07)