Understanding Nationalism: A Simple Guide

Nationalism: More Than Just Right-Wing Politics

Many people think nationalism is only about right-wing politics. It’s true that nationalism has been part of many strict and controlling governments. In democratic countries, it can be linked to the belief that one’s own nation is better than others. But nationalism is more complex than that.

The Difference Between Patriotism and Nationalism

Patriotism and nationalism are similar but not the same. Most people can tell the difference between loving their country and the extreme ideas of nationalism. Patriotism is a mild form of nationalism. But radical nationalism can turn into fear or dislike of people from other countries.

Substate and Minority Nationalism

There’s also something called substate or minority nationalism. It’s often linked to left-wing and progressive ideas. Many political parties and groups in Europe, the Americas, and other places use the term “nationalist” without having far-right beliefs. They see the nation as a way for people to have self-determination in a specific area.

Some examples include:

• The National Party in Suriname (founded in 1946)
• The Basque Nationalist Party (1895)
• The Scottish National Party (1934)
• The Galician Nationalist Bloc (1982)

Some of Europe’s well-known left-wing movements, like Sinn Féin in Ireland, are strongly nationalist. Others, like Plaid Cymru in Wales, support eco-socialist principles.

The Impact of the Radical Right

Minority or substate nationalisms are not always free from the influence of the radical right. Some parties, like Vlaams Belang in Belgium and the Catalan Alliance, are examples of far-right minority nationalism. Historically, groups like the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Flemish National Union held similar positions during the interwar period.

When Nationalism Turns into Fascism

Nationalist ideas can easily slide into fascism. The rise of ethnic nationalism in the late 20th century has strengthened this connection. It’s often shown through nativism and populism, leading to movements like Trump’s “Make America Great Again”, Putin’s irredentism, and Hindutva nationalism in India.

Fascism focuses on the nation, and nationalism is a key part of any fascist worldview. However, the relationship between nationalism and fascism is not always clear. We need to explore this link more closely.

Ethnic Nationalism

Fascist ideology often comes from 19th-century ethnic nationalism. European imperialism and the Great War made the idea of the nation increasingly chauvinistic, racist, and xenophobic.

This focus on ethnic nationalism was crucial in making it a tool of fascism. It also became a core argument of the radical right, from “fascistised” conservatism to authoritarian government.

In most theories of fascism, nationalism is linked to a single-issue expression. It sees the nation as an organic reality, where inclusion is based on “objective” truths like language, blood and soil, history, and tradition.

However, things like ancestry, history, and territory are not exclusive to fascist or authoritarian ideas of the nation. They can also be found in liberal and Republican definitions, which often take for granted the “cultural community” within ethnic and territorial borders.

Many of Europe’s rising progressive political forces, like Sinn Féin in Ireland, trace their origins to radical nationalism in the early 20th century. Yet, they promote a tolerant, open view of society that is the opposite of fascism.

It’s true that every fascist is a nationalist, but not every nationalist is a fascist. This makes us wonder how fascism uses nationalism to achieve its aims. There is a specifically fascist concept and usage of nationalism.

Fascist Nationalism

Fascists see the nation as a single organic entity that binds people together by ancestry and the triumph of will. It is the driving, unifying force that mobilizes the masses towards a shared goal. But fascists also use nationalism for their own purposes.

For nationalism to serve fascism, it must align with the main ideas of fascist ideology. These include the idea of revolution, a corporatist social order, racial purity, and the relevance of irrational values. The diversity of nationalist traditions also explains much of fascism’s geographical differences.

Although the parts provided by nationalism are old, fascism combined them to create something new. This is known as the “generic” fascist concept of the nation, which has at least five specific characteristics:

• A military-like view of social ties and national character: The nation is always ready for military action. Military values of discipline, unity, and sacrifice are more important than individual rights. Society becomes like a military camp, leading to territorial expansionism, empire, and war.
• A “survival of the fittest” view of national and international society: This leads to the exclusion of others based on race, culture, language, etc. It justifies violence against enemies and leads to imperialism.
• The nation is more important than religion: Fascist governments are independent from religion. They often make agreements with the Church but place the nation above God and religion.
• Unity of state, culture, and nation: The fascist nation is neither above nor beneath the state. It is both identified with the state and transcends it, creating a “national-statism.”
• Absolute belief in a charismatic leader: The fascist nation requires complete trust in a singular, all-powerful leader. In Nazi Germany, this was known as the Führerprinzip, where the Führer’s word was more important than any written law. The fascist leader embodies the qualities of all national heroes.

This article was first published on The Conversation.