Political Ideologies in the Modern World

Four Great Political Ideologies

• Liberalism: Prioritizes individual rights.
• Socialism: Prioritizes socioeconomic equality.
• Conservatism: Prioritizes tradition.
• Nationalism: Prioritizes the nation.

Nationalism's Influence

• Most powerful and arguably neglected.
• Shaped the world significantly, especially in the 20th and 21st centuries.
• Post-Soviet Union: Arguably the dominant ideology globally.

Understanding Nationalism

• Definition: Political principle advocating that the political and national unit should be congruent.
• Historical Evolution:
  • Emerged prominently in the 18th-20th centuries.
  • Before: Societies tied to individuals/families (e.g., Emperors, royal families).
  • Example: China was tied to dynasties, not as a nation with precise borders.
  • Example: Ancient Greeks identified as Greek but lacked a unified nation until modern times (1830).

Dynamics of National Identity

• Emerged via contrast and conflict.
• Example: Greeks vs. Barbarians; English vs. French during the Hundred Years War.
• Nationality evolved before the concept of modern Nations.

French Revolution and the Birth of Nationalism

• 18th Century France:
  • Industrialization, population growth, and middle class emergence.
  • Development of concept of 'nation' integrating people under the same government and laws.
  • Formation of the National Assembly.
  • Philosophers like Jean-Jaques Rousseau influenced nationalist ideas.
  • Emphasis on 'general will'—the collective will of the people.

Nationalism Across the Globe

• Spread: Post-revolutionary France inspired Latin America and Europe.
• Emergence of new nations from colonies and empires.
• Nationalism influenced by liberal principles (freedom, sovereignty of people).

Romantic Nationalism

• Germany's Context:

  • Weak and decentralized Holy Roman Empire.
  • Shift towards internal exploration (Sturm und Drang movement).
  • Romantic nationalism developed post-French invasion.

• Key Figures:

  • Ernst Moritz Arndt: Emphasized unification and hatred of French.
  • Johann Gottlieb Fichte: Advocated for German unity through shared language and culture.

Nationalism in the 19th-20th Centuries

• Realpolitik and pragmatism (examples: Italy, Germany unification).
• Romantic and racial elements influencing militaristic nationalism.

Modern and Extremist Nationalism

• Fascism:
  • Extreme nationalism (e.g., Mussolini's Italy, Hitler's Germany).
  • Emphasizes state control, collectivism, and transformation of society.

Key Takeaways

• Nationalism Defined:
  • Political ideology emphasizing the congruence of political and national units.
  • Divides humanity into distinct nations, often based on common language and territory.
  • Advocates for collective solidarity and prioritization of national interests.

Nationalism's Global Success

• Widely accepted principle that the world should ideally be divided into nations.
• Controversial aspects revolve around the level of national solidarity and collectivism required.

Conclusion

• Nationalism deeply influential and powerful as a modern political ideology.
• Continues to shape political landscapes and national identities globally.