What Is Nationalism?

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By jamie
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As a political ideology, nationalism is the notion that a nation should be free to govern itself without any external interference. It holds that the nation is the only true source of power and that no other nation’s laws can be imposed upon them. It is closely associated with patriotism, which is a very similar concept.

Nationalism can be a positive influence, and is often a catalyst behind revolutionist movements that help free nations from the tyranny of others. Unfortunately, it can also be a negative influence and nationalism was a driving force behind the holocaust. There are different types of nationalism, and here’s a look at some of the most commonly encountered.

1. Religious Nationalism

Most nations will not have a national affiliation with any one religion. While the population may be free to practice religion, and it may even be that the majority follow a particular religion, most nations still remain secular on the whole. Not all nations have the same policies, though, and some states have very strong affiliations with particular religions. Saudi Arabia, for example, is an Islamic state. Not only is Islam entwined at state level, but it is also something that much of the population feel a strong connection to. Another example might be the United States with a largely Christian population that consider their country to be a Christian nation, even though it is technically secular.

Nationalism

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