A-Level Politics: Nationalism

This material covers nationalism, one of the optional (non-core) ideologies in A level Politics. Specifications differ in which optional ideologies they offer; nationalism is available on the most widely taught one. It complements the category's materials on the core ideologies and on feminism.

The first strand is the core ideas: the difference between a nation and a state, the ideal of the nation-state, self-determination, culturalism, racialism and internationalism, and the distinction between civic nationalism, based on shared values and citizenship open to all, and ethnic nationalism, based on descent.

The second strand is the different types of nationalism and the reasons they disagree. Liberal nationalism treats nations as equal and sees national freedom as the basis for peaceful cooperation between them. Conservative nationalism values the nation as a source of stability, tradition and belonging, and is often wary of international bodies. Anti-colonial and post-colonial nationalism sought liberation from empire, frequently combined with socialist ideas. Expansionist nationalism rests on chauvinism, a belief in national superiority, sometimes combined with racialism, and justifies conquest. The quiz ends by asking which strand is most compatible with internationalism.

The third strand is the key thinkers named by the most widely taught specification: Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the general will and popular sovereignty, Johann Gottfried von Herder on the spirit of a people expressed in its language and culture, Giuseppe Mazzini on liberal nationalism and Young Italy, Charles Maurras on integral nationalism and Action Française, and Marcus Garvey on pan-Africanism and black pride. Their ideas are summarised in plain language.

The quiz has twelve questions: described arguments or regimes to classify, ideas to attribute to a thinker, and comparisons between strands, with distractors drawn from the other strands and thinkers. The flashcards give eighteen concepts, strands and thinkers. The written work has eight extended questions, from explaining the difference between civic and ethnic nationalism to evaluating whether nationalism is essentially progressive or regressive, each with a reference answer and key points. The oral exam asks questions one at a time and expects thinkers and historical examples used as evidence.

The material presents each strand in its own terms and uses historical examples; it takes no side in current debates about national identity. It is practice material and does not reproduce any exam board's questions.

• Distinguish nation, state and nation-state, and explain self-determination
• Compare civic and ethnic nationalism, culturalism and racialism
• Distinguish liberal, conservative, anti-colonial and expansionist nationalism
• Attribute key ideas to Rousseau, Herder, Mazzini, Maurras and Garvey
• Explain the relationship between nationalism and internationalism
• Evaluate whether nationalism is progressive or regressive

Practice material written by Zestly, based on the nationalism content of the A level Politics specifications (for example the optional ideology and key thinkers named by Pearson Edexcel).