ethnicnational

Ethnicnational is an adjective used in political science and related fields to describe a form of nationalism in which membership in the political community is defined primarily by ethnic, cultural, or ancestral characteristics rather than by citizenship or civic allegiance. The term is closely related to ethnic nationalism and is often discussed in contrast to civic nationalism, which ties national identity to shared laws, institutions, or political values that may include diverse groups.

In ethnicnational frameworks, a common ethnicity, language, religion, or historical heritage is presented as the core basis for political belonging. This emphasis can influence policy debates on immigration, language use, education, and citizenship, and it often implies defined boundaries around who is considered part of the nation. Proponents may argue that such definitions preserve cultural continuity and social cohesion, while critics warn that they can exclude minorities, privilege majority groups, or undermine pluralism.

Scholarly usage of the term varies. Some writers treat ethnicnational as basically synonymous with ethnic nationalism, while others use it to describe a specific type of national project that seeks to establish or sustain a nation-state defined by ethnicity. Critics of ethnicnationalist approaches typically highlight risks to minority rights, democratic inclusion, and social stability, pointing to potential discrimination or intergroup tension.

Related concepts include nationalism, ethnicity, and ethno-cultural nationalism, as well as debates between ethnic-nationalist and civic-nationalist visions of political community. The term ethnicnational is not universally standardized, and its precise meaning can differ across authors and contexts.