Nationalism

Nationalism is the belief that a people who share a national identity should form a political community and have the ability to govern themselves. That identity may grow from a common history, culture, language, territory, civic tradition, or set of ideals. In the United States, nationalism has often centered on both the nation’s founding principles—liberty, representative government, and equality before the law—and the diverse experiences of the people who have shaped the country.

Nationalism can create a strong sense of belonging and shared responsibility. It can inspire citizens to participate in public life, preserve cultural traditions, defend national independence, and work toward a common future. Historically, nationalist movements have also helped people resist foreign rule and establish self-governing states. In this constructive form, nationalism asks citizens to place some common interests above individual or regional differences.

However, nationalism can take different forms. Civic nationalism defines membership primarily through citizenship, participation, and commitment to shared political principles. Ethnic nationalism places greater emphasis on ancestry, heritage, language, or religion. Most national identities contain elements of both, but the balance matters: an inclusive national identity can unite people from many backgrounds, while an exclusionary one can treat some citizens as less authentically national than others.

Nationalism therefore carries both promise and risk. It can strengthen solidarity and democratic self-government, but when national loyalty becomes a claim of inherent superiority—or when dissenters, minorities, and outsiders are portrayed as enemies—it can encourage intolerance, authoritarianism, and conflict. Understanding nationalism requires examining not only the love people feel for their country, but also how they define the nation, who is included within it, and what political actions are justified in its name.

Pages on Christian, Civic & White Nationalism are presently in development.