Ethnic nationalism

For a more in-depth examination of nationalism overall, see the main article entitled nationalism. ac.jabotinsky2.jpg, promoter of Zionism.]] Malcolm-x.jpg, Malcolm X was a pioneer of black nationalism.]] Ethnic nationalism denotes a political ideology where the "nation" is defined in terms of ethnicity. Whatever specific ethnicity is involved, ethnic nationalism always includes some element of descent from previous generations. It also includes ideas of a culture shared between members of the group, and with their ancestors, and also usually a shared language that is in some way apart from other languages.

The underlying assumption of ethnic nationalism is that ethnicities should be politically distinct and should be entitled to self-determination. Ethnic nationalism is now the dominant form of nationalism in the world, and is often referred to simply as "nationalism".

Membership in an ethnic-nationalist "nation" is hereditary. A state for the ethnic group, if one exists (see Diaspora), derives political legitimacy from its status as homeland of that ethnic group (see State of Israel), whether historical, current, or both. Such a state also derives legitimacy from its function to protect the ethnic group from racism and to thus facilitate the cultural and social life that may have had difficulty flourishing under previous conditions.

Even without a hoped-for or established state, ideas that politicize ethnicity are very old. Modern ethnic nationalism was heavily influenced by Johann Gottfried von Herder, who promoted the concept of the Volk (folk), and also Johann Gottlieb Fichte. Later, black nationalists Marcus Garvey, Frantz Fanon, and Malcolm X were to help pioneer a moderately strong movement for black self-determination in the United States.

Note that the theorist Anthony D. Smith uses the term 'ethnic nationalism' for non-Western concepts of nationalism, as opposed to Western views of a nation defined by its geographical territory.

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Ethnic nationalism

See also