ethnonationalist

An ethnonationalist is a follower of ethnonationalism, a political ideology that asserts the nation should be defined by shared ethnicity, culture, language, or ancestry rather than by territory or civic allegiance alone. In this view, political membership and certain rights derive from ethnic belonging, and national identity is considered foundational to political community. Ethnonationalism often emphasizes an origin narrative and the primacy of the ethnos in state formation, in contrast with civic nationalism, which defines the nation through voluntary citizenship and shared political values.

Historically, ethnonationalist ideas arose during modern nation-state formation and have persisted worldwide. They can drive calls for self-determination or borders aligned with ethnolinguistic lines, and may lead to policies that privilege the dominant ethnicity in areas such as language, education, and immigration. Ethnonationalist movements range from inclusive cultural revival to exclusionary and territorial claims, and they can operate within democracies or in more authoritarian contexts.

Scholars debate ethnonationalism for its potential to undermine minority rights and pluralism by privileging one group, while proponents argue it expresses a legitimate right to self-determination or cultural preservation. Analyses typically distinguish ethnonationalism from civic nationalism and examine its impact on social cohesion, stability, and human rights.