Establishing a New National Identity

Paper Summary:

This paper examines some of the problems faced by a country that is just emerging, whose people are just beginning to define themselves in terms of the nationalist motif that defines so much of life in the modern era. This paper is an exploration of the nationalist movement as it progressed throughout history where people were seen to have been attached to their native soil, to the traditions of their parents, and to established territorial authorities.

From the Paper:

"As a general rule, Nationalism can be said to be characterized principally by a feeling of community among a people. This feeling of community, this sense of belonging together, is based on the fact that this group of people share a common descent, a common language, a common religion - or some combination of these or like factors. Before the 18th century, when nationalism emerged as a distinctive movement, states usually were based on religious or dynastic ties; citizens owed loyalty to their church or ruling family. Concerned with clan, tribe, village, or province, people rarely extended their interests nationwide to include within their "in" group people that they did not know and would never be likely to meet."

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