nationalism

Etymology

From French nationalisme. Surface etymology is national + -ism.

noun

  1. Patriotism; the idea of supporting one's country, people or culture.
    Perhaps the explanation of the Chinese situation most generally accepted by historians is nationalism, a phenomenon which has always occurred when a people of distinctive cultural characteristics becomes aware of foreign domination. Napoleonic domination in Italy and Germany a century ago created nationalism there, as did Turkish domination in the Balkans and the Arab countries. 1927 May, Quincy Wright, “Bolshevist Influences in China”, in Current History, volume XXVI, number 2, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 300, column 1
    Following the 1979 Revolution, Khomeini came out against nationalism. 2017, Meir Litvak, Constructing Nationalism in Iran
  2. Support for the creation of a sovereign nation (which does not currently exist).
    Basque nationalism
    Kurdish nationalism
  3. (UK, Ireland) Support for the union of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

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