Nationalists

Nationalists are adherents of nationalism, a political ideology that emphasizes the primacy of the nation as a political and cultural community. Nationalism holds that the nation should be the primary unit of political legitimacy and that nations have the right to self-determination, independence, or autonomous governance. Nationalists may base their claims on ethnicity, language, culture, or shared history, and they can pursue goals through political parties, movements, or state policy.

There are diverse strands of nationalism. Ethnic nationalism grounds identity in a perceived common ancestry or ethnicity, while civic or liberal nationalism defines membership through citizenship, shared institutions, and political values. Many movements blend elements of both, leading to a spectrum from inclusive, rights-based nationalism to exclusionary or ethnic nationalism.

Historically, nationalism rose alongside modern state-building in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries and contributed to national unification and independence movements. In the 20th century it played a central role in decolonization and in the formation of new states, as well as in various reform movements within established states. In contemporary politics, nationalist rhetoric can accompany state consolidation, border controls, and populist mobilization, but it can also manifest in constitutional nationalism and peaceful self-government.

Critics argue that nationalism can be associated with xenophobia, minority exclusion, or aggressive foreign policy, while proponents contend that it can provide social cohesion, democratic legitimacy, and accountability to the national community. The meaning and consequences of nationalism vary across contexts and historical periods.