Curriculum Portal

neurologyYou need to know

• What students should know
• The meaning of the key concepts and terminology:
• nation
• sovereignty of the people
• human nature
• the state
• society
• the economy
• minority nationalism
• state nationalism
• That nationalism is a political ideology or force centred on the belief that the nation is a fundamental political and cultural unit.
• That nationalism is concerned with the relationship between a people, a nation and political authority.
• That a nation is generally understood as a group of people linked by shared identity, which may include culture, language, history, territory or common political values.
• That nationalists usually argue that the nation should be self-governing, and that political power should reflect the will of the nation.
• That sovereignty of the people means legitimate authority ultimately rests with the people rather than monarchs, empires or outside powers.
• That nationalism is not a single, fixed doctrine but a broad and contested ideology with different forms and tensions within it.
• That one of the main debates about the nature of nationalism is whether it is:
• mainly liberating and democratic
• or potentially authoritarian and exclusionary
• That nationalism can be based more on:
• civic or political identity
• or cultural, ethnic or historical identity
• The defining features of minority nationalism, including:
• nationalism expressed by a group within a larger state
• demands for autonomy, recognition, devolution or independence
• the belief that a distinct national community is not fully represented by the existing state
• The defining features of state nationalism, including:
• nationalism promoted by an established state
• attempts to unite citizens around a common national identity
• the use of national identity to strengthen loyalty, cohesion and legitimacy
• That minority nationalism and state nationalism can differ in aims, tone and political methods, but can also overlap.
• That students need to understand the extent to which different types of nationalism vary, including differences in:
• inclusiveness
• attitudes to democracy
• views on sovereignty
• cultural versus political identity
• attitudes to minorities and outsiders
• That nationalism remains highly relevant in recent political developments, and can be seen in both movements seeking self-determination and states asserting sovereignty and national identity.
• That nationalist thought can be related to views about:
• human nature
• the state
• society
• the economy
• The key ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, including:
• the general will of the people
• sovereignty of the people
• opposition to representative assembly
• the belief that political authority should arise directly from the people
• The key ideas of Johann Gottfried von Herder, including:
• the importance of language
• the importance of cultural traditions in creating a nation
• the concept of nationality
• the idea of patriotism
• the belief that each nation has its own unique character
• The key ideas of Giuseppe Mazzini, including:
• the promotion of republicanism and nationalism
• the concept of 'thought and action'
• the belief that national self-determination and political action should go together
• The key ideas of Marcus Garvey, including:
• Garveyism
• a philosophy designed to inspire a global mass movement
• economic empowerment focused on Africa
• the pan-Africanism movement
• the importance of racial pride, self-help and collective advancement
• The key ideas of Charles Maurras, including:
• integral nationalism
• the idea of anti-France directed against Protestants, Jews, Freemasons and foreigners
• the rejection of democratic principles
• the existence of a strongly authoritarian and exclusionary form of nationalism
• That the named thinkers illustrate very different forms of nationalism, ranging from democratic and emancipatory strands to authoritarian and intolerant ones.

• Define and use accurately the key vocabulary of nationalism.
• Explain what nationalism is and identify its core assumptions.
• Analyse debates about the nature of nationalism, including whether it is best seen as a political principle, a cultural force or a full ideology.
• Explain the concept of the nation and discuss how nations are formed or understood.
• Explain the meaning and significance of popular sovereignty within nationalist thought.
• Compare minority nationalism and state nationalism, identifying similarities, differences and areas of overlap.
• Assess the extent to which different nationalisms vary, including democratic versus authoritarian and civic versus cultural forms.
• Explain how nationalism relates to the state, including the idea that political borders should reflect national identity.
• Apply the ideas of Rousseau, Herder, Mazzini, Garvey and Maurras to questions about nationhood, sovereignty, identity and political power.
• Explain Rousseau's idea of the general will and link it to popular sovereignty and nationalism.
• Explain Herder's emphasis on language and culture in forming national identity.
• Explain Mazzini's connection between nationalism, republicanism and political action.
• Explain Garvey's pan-African nationalism and its focus on mass mobilisation and economic empowerment.
• Explain Maurras's integral nationalism and why it represents an authoritarian and exclusionary strand of nationalist thought.
• Use recent developments as evidence when discussing the continuing importance of nationalism.
• Assess whether nationalism is inherently democratic, or whether it can also be anti-democratic.
• Evaluate whether nationalism is inclusive or exclusive, depending on the type being considered.
• Construct balanced arguments about tensions within nationalism.
• Support arguments with relevant thinkers and concepts rather than relying on vague generalisations.
• Make reasoned judgements in essay-style responses on issues such as:
• Is nationalism primarily about self-determination?
• Are minority nationalism and state nationalism fundamentally different?
• Is nationalism compatible with democracy?
• Is cultural identity more important than political sovereignty in nationalism?