Home Categories About
argument top image
Did nationalism predate nation states? Did nationalism predate nation states?
Yes, nationalism predated nation states. Yes, nationalism predated nation states.
No, nationalism did not predate nation states. No, nationalism did not predate nation states.
Nationalism and nation states go hand-in-hand. Nationalism and nation states go hand-in-hand.
Nationalism is a form of tribalism Nationalism is a form of tribalism
Greek city states had a national identity Greek city states had a national identity
Not all countries or states are nation states Not all countries or states are nation states
The structures of modern society create conditions for nationalism The structures of modern society create conditions for nationalism
Feeling tribal loyalty to a group depends on social conditions Feeling tribal loyalty to a group depends on social conditions
Nationalism is aggressive and developed by militarised nation states Nationalism is aggressive and developed by militarised nation states
Both nationalism and nation states were created by an awareness of geography Both nationalism and nation states were created by an awareness of geography
Debate Mini Map

Did nationalism predate nation states?
Back to question

No, nationalism did not predate nation states.

< (2 of 3) Next position >

Nationalism is aggressive and developed by militarised nation states

Nationalism is focused on defending one specific race or cultural group, so modern nationalism is developed on a large scale by modern nation states which are placed in opposition to other states.
Dusan Kecmanovic Gretchen Schrock-Jacobson
< (3 of 3) Next argument >

Context

Aggression: the action of attacking without provocation.

The Argument

Modern nationalism exists in order to support nation states and their existence by defending them, often aggressively and by using military force, against individual outsiders or other nation states. Historically, such as during World War II, nationalist feeling - tipping over into racism - acted as a driver for large-scale militarisation, but now these large armies exist in precedent [1], they drive continued nationalism by behaving aggressively to those outside the nation state. These national armies, and the idea they represent of a nation state needing to defend itself against those who do not belong, suggest that nationalism is developed by the structure of modern nation states, which exist in opposition to others, and that nationalism and its aggressive tendencies are not organic.

Counter arguments

Instances of aggressive nationalism have been evident throughout history, such as in the Greco-Persian wars, and suggesting that nationalism itself only exists as a result of modern nation states is disingenuous, even though modern nation states do encourage a new form of large-scale aggressive nationalism in terms of mechanised warfare.

Proponents

Framing

Aggressive nationalism benefits those in power, because it allows them to maintain their power through encouraging citizens to defend their state, whether for a real or imagined reason.

Premises

Modern nationalism is aggressive because it exists to support nation states. Nation states are set up in opposition to each other, making nationalism necessary for their survival. Nationalism and its aggressive tendencies are therefore created by nation states.

Rejecting the premises

Instances of aggressive nationalism can be seen throughout history. On some level, all different groups and nations exist in opposition to each other. Nationalism has always existed and has always been aggressive.

References

  1. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2539098?seq=1

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Friday, 26 Jun 2020 at 11:20 UTC

Explore related arguments