Political Significance Of Nationalism In The World Today

What is the political significance of nationalism in the world today?

Nationalism is a emotional phenomenon felt by groups of people who consider themselves to have collective birth circumstances, as a cultural identity it can be based upon a wide range of elements such as religion, race, language, history or territory. Plaid Cymru and the ETA are language based nationalist groups, the IRA and the Palestinians are religion based groups and the Nation of Islam is a group based on race all of which are significant to nationalism and the world today.

Anthony D. Smith described nationalism as a 'chameleon ideology', national identity has three dimensions; cultural, psychological and political. The idea of nationalism developed in the 18/19th

Cultural nationalism focuses on the desire to protection of a nations culture and heritage and places no specific emphasis on the need for political autonomy, sometimes cultural nationalism evolves into political nationalism. An example of cultural nationalism in the world today and how it can develop into political nationalism can be seen by looking at Wales, they strive to protect their language without seeking self determination, however they now have their own devolved assembly. Political nationalism is the other and is the most common of the two, instead of culture it focuses on the desire for autonomy, political nationalism may be communist, liberal, or chauvinist. The Scottish National Party is an example of liberal nationalism, the SNP are a social democratic party that seek Scottish independence and are a key example of the political significance of nationalism in the world today. Recently Scotland sought independence through self-determination, a referendum was held on the 18th of September and there was a turnout of 86% which set a new record for any election held in the UK since Universal Suffrage was introduced in 1918. However it was declared that Scotland said no to independence by 55.3% to 44.7% in a vote in which more than 3.6 million people participated in. Ethnic and civil nationalism are two further forms of nationalism, ethnic nationalism focuses on the idea that a nation can have an ethnic identity and uses this idea to create and maintain a cohesive nation and society. Because of this it is usually characterised as being reactionary rather than progressive. Civic nationalism on the other hand is progressive, it appeals to culture rather than race and so uses this to build and maintain a cohesive