What does nationalism mean?
Nationalism is the identification of a people or community with a nation and the political expression of that attachment. In contemporary use, it most often means a political outlook or movement that treats the nation as the principal unit of identity and loyalty, often promoting its sovereignty, institutions, and interests. It may also refer more neutrally to a shared sense of belonging and pride. The term can be descriptive when writers identify a pattern across history, but it often carries negative connotations when national loyalty becomes exclusionary, aggressive, or hostile to outside groups. Nationalism differs from patriotism because it usually concerns collective political identity or action, whereas patriotism can be a personal love of one's country. In globalizing societies, nationalism remains significant because it shapes public debate about immigration, citizenship, economic policy, war, and cultural identity. Understanding the word therefore requires attention to context: celebrating democratic solidarity and promoting domination are both described as nationalist, but they carry sharply different implications.
nounThe identification of a people or community with a nation, especially the belief that the nation should be the primary focus of political allegiance and exercise sovereignty. The word also refers to political movements, policies, and attitudes based on national identity and interests.
- Identification with, and loyalty to, a nation as a community of shared identity and interests.
- A political movement or set of principles that treats national sovereignty, independence, and interests as paramount.
- Policies or attitudes regarded as characteristically national.
"The speech was widely criticized for stoking nationalism during a period of growing political tension."
"Economic nationalism became more influential as governments sought to protect domestic industries and control strategic resources."
"Historians continue to debate the role of nationalism in the formation of modern nation-states."
The plural is uncommon and generally distinguishes different forms, versions, or regional manifestations of nationalism.
"Competing nationalisms emerged as different communities asserted control over their own cultural and political institutions."
The word nationalism entered English in the late eighteenth century, when loyalty to a nation was becoming a political force in its own right.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nationalism come from?
Nationalism entered English in the late eighteenth century, borrowing the French nationalisme, which was formed from national and the suffix -isme. Its English use developed from attachment or loyalty to a nation into broader references to political movements, policies, and principles based on national identity. The related words nation, national, and nationality share the deeper Latin root natio, meaning birth or origin and originally referring to a body of people.
Related word forms
How nationalism is actually used
Nationalism is common in political, historical, and social-science writing. It can be a neutral analytical term, but it often has negative connotations when national loyalty becomes exclusionary, aggressive, or hostile to outsiders.
Easily confused with nationalism
Patriotism is love of or devotion to one's country, whereas nationalism specifically concerns collective political identity and often asserts the nation's priority or sovereignty.