The traditions of Nationalism
Each tradition answers the same spec questions differently. Learn the split and you can compare them in an essay.
Liberal Nationalism
Rousseau (people choose their governing authority); Mazzini (every nation deserves a state)
- Rationalist, progressive, optimistic; civic identity through shared political values
Conservative Nationalism
von Herder (volksgeist - the national spirit; shared culture and language)
- Pessimistic, security-seeking; humans need cultural belonging; romantic and mystical view of the nation
Expansionist (Chauvinist) Nationalism
Maurras (integral nationalism, chauvinism, sometimes racialism)
- Highly pessimistic; chauvinist superiority; integral nationalism; some variants racialist
Anti / Post-colonial Nationalism
Garvey (self-determination from colonial powers; cultural pride)
- Rationalist; progressive; equal moral worth of all peoples; positive when free from colonial oppression
Side by side
The four core spec areas across every tradition.
| Theme | Liberal | Conservative | Expansionist | Anti-colonial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Nature | Rationalist, progressive, optimistic; civic identity through shared political values | Pessimistic, security-seeking; humans need cultural belonging; romantic and mystical view of the nation | Highly pessimistic; chauvinist superiority; integral nationalism; some variants racialist | Rationalist; progressive; equal moral worth of all peoples; positive when free from colonial oppression |
| The State | Nation-state as natural unit; civic; self-determination for all nations; liberal internationalism | State should reflect and protect the distinct national culture; cultural homogeneity; romantic view | State is supreme; pursues national greatness through dominance; militaristic; sometimes racialist | Self-determination from colonial powers; right to self-rule; sympathetic to liberal internationalism but specifically anti-imperialist |
| The Economy | Free trade between sovereign nations; cooperation; liberal economic principles | Protect national economy and traditional industries; economic identity tied to cultural identity | Economic dominance and imperialism; strong national economy as basis for power; exploitation of other peoples | Economic self-determination; nationalising resources; critical of neo-colonial dependency |
| Society | Inclusive civic society; open and voluntary; tolerance of cultural diversity within shared political values | Society defined by shared culture, language, traditions; exclusive in basis; cohesion through cultural identity | Highly exclusive based on supposed racial or ethnic purity; hostile to outsiders; aggressive | Inclusive based on shared experience of colonialism; reasserts cultural identity colonialism suppressed; pan-national |