It is nationalism which engenders nations, and not the other way around
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political science
presentation
published 30/05/2008
review : Completed
level : General public
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This essay will argue the case in favour of the statement that it is nationalism which engenders nations, and not the other way around. Ironically, the difficulties in doing so are also encountered by those who disagree with the statement. In the first place, there has yet to be any real consensus reached among historians on the question. Secondly, definitions of the terms nationalism and nation vary from one source to another, and thirdly, a large proportion of this debate relies on the context in which the argument is made, i.e. the time-frame and historical references used.
Table of Contents
- The aims of this essay are threefold; to clarify, to analyze and to exemplify.
- These terms are often used interchangeably but a very clear distinction needs to be made between the two.
- It has already been said that a nation is not something overly definitive, so how can we justify its existence?
- The meaning of 'nationalism' changes frequently according to the contexts in which it is used.
- Language as a basis for nationhood was a theory ardently supported by Herder.
