Nationalism In A Level Politics | Everything You Need To Know

The video introduces the concept of nationalism for A-level Politics, outlining the different types (liberal, conservative, anti/post-colonial, expansionist). It then discusses key thinkers and core principles, agreements, and disagreements, highlighting potential essay questions focusing on the extent of unity or division within nationalism concerning the state, economy, human nature, or society.

Liberal nationalism emerged during the Enlightenment, advocating for self-governance in independent nation-states based on consent. It applies liberal ideas of individual freedom to nations, supporting national self-determination and progressive change. Key thinkers like Joseph Mazzini and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (civic nationalism) are discussed, emphasizing inclusivity and rational commitment to shared values over ethnicity or race. The US is presented as an example of a liberal nationalist state, and the idea of liberal internationalism is introduced.

Conservative nationalism arose in reaction to liberal nationalism, fearing its destabilizing effects. It defines nationhood through shared history, culture, and tradition, rather than abstract principles. This strand is exclusive, seeing national identity as an organic, inherited bond difficult for outsiders to join fully. Johan Gottfried von Herder's cultural nationalism, with its concept of 'Volk' (people) and 'Volksgeist' (national spirit), is a key idea, stressing the unique cultural character of each nation. Regressive nationalism, a more extreme and xenophobic version of conservative nationalism, is also explored, which often presents a mythical past and defines the nation in opposition to outsiders.

Expansionist nationalism is presented as the most exclusionary, regressive, militarized, and irrational form of nationalism, driven by a sense of national superiority. It advocates for imperialism and wars of aggression, arguing that its nation has the right to dominate others due to perceived moral, cultural, and racial superiority. Charles Maurras' integral nationalism, which demands complete loyalty to the nation and rejects individual rights, is discussed in this context. Examples like Japanese imperialism and Nazi Germany illustrate how this ideology leads to violent conquest, genocide, and the suppression of other nations' sovereignty.

Anti-colonial nationalism emerged as a reaction against expansionist imperialism, asserting the right of colonized peoples to self-determination and to reclaim their distinct cultures and identities. Mahatma Gandhi's leadership in the Indian independence movement exemplifies this non-violent struggle. Post-colonial nationalism, arising after the end of empires, faced the challenge of forging new national identities in often arbitrarily bordered states. Leaders like Julius Nyerere (Tanzania) and Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana) developed inclusive, progressive forms of nationalism, often linked with socialism, to unite diverse populations and achieve economic emancipation. Marcus Garvey's black pride and Pan-Africanism emphasize racial unity and a rejection of colonial mentality.

This section delves deeper into the ideas of the key thinkers discussed earlier. Rousseau's civic nationalism emphasizes the general will and active citizen participation as the basis of legitimate government. Mazzini's belief that individuals can only achieve freedom and identity within their own nation-state underscores the importance of self-determination. Herder's cultural nationalism highlights the organic nature of nations rooted in unique cultures and traditions. Maurras' integral nationalism advocates for complete subordination of individuals to the nation and a strong, centralized state. Garvey's black pride and Pan-Africanism champion racial empowerment and unity for people of African descent globally.

This segment explores the fundamental agreements and disagreements within nationalism. All nationalists agree that the nation is the central unit of political organization, advocating for self-determination and the nation-state. However, significant divisions exist, particularly between inclusive (liberal, anti/post-colonial) and exclusive (conservative, expansionist) forms of nationalism. Further divides include rationalism vs. culturalism, progressive vs. regressive approaches, and attitudes towards internationalism and racialism. These divisions form the basis for analyzing nationalism in relation to the state, society, economy, and human nature.

This section provides guidance on how to apply the discussed principles and divisions to common A-level Politics essay topics. For the state, agreement centers on the nation-state and self-determination, while disagreements focus on inclusivity, internationalism, and attitudes towards other states' self-determination. For human nature, arguments revolve around whether humans are seen as rational or emotional, influencing the construction of national identity. In society, the debates between inclusive/exclusive and progressive/regressive nationalism take center stage. For the economy, the differing views on global capitalism, socialist approaches, and nativism illustrate key divisions. The section concludes with an overall discussion on whether there is more agreement or disagreement within nationalism.