Nationalism and Transnationalism in the Context of the European Union

From the 19th to 20th century nations were uniting behind the belief of nationalism; the belief that their loyalty was owed to the nation as a whole. This loyalty was believed to be owed to a nation of people who share a common history and language as its core. Due to the growing want for true self-government in Europe, people began calling for unity. Once these nations were created, governments wanted their country to be the strongest and most powerful. A growing sense of pride by the people that their nation was the greatest led to wars to prove who truly had the better military. This sense of unity brought to many a purpose for their personal identity. Loyalty to one’s nation was a core belief of nationalism and allowed for many to

Nationalism has always been around, but it made its first real debut in early 1800’s Europe. Many countries at this time were striving to become independent, and get out from under the larger countries’

During World War II, the line between civilian and combatant was blurred. Warfare involved bombing and attacking civilians as often as battles between opposing soldiers. World War II caused immense indiscriminate destruction. Europeans suffered, and were able to fall back on that common experience after the war. These responses varied geographically, but they were all rooted in the war’s destruction. Women, children and an inherent sense of belonging became even more important in the postwar turmoil. In the Communist East, this suffering was meant to bring about a completely unified identity. In practice, however, different ethnic groups used individual suffering to highlight their differences. The Communists underestimated the importance of the individual. Germany, however, embraced individual experiences to build a common nationalism that did not depend on state borders. Postwar, European nationalism grew because of common and equal suffering of individuals

Over the course of a century, nationalism spread throughout Europe. This new patriotic breakthrough changed the way Europeans looked at themselves. Rather than associating themselves with only a small area similar to their local town or area, like they did in the past, they are now beginning to associate themselves with their country as a whole. This trend escalated around 1830s, with states becoming unified with a common language, culture, and territory. Nationalism is important to modern day history because it is through this that many countries were formed and is also the reason for how the world is today. Without nationalism, monarchs could still not be treating people the way with respect, imperialism would not have happened at the scale

Nationalism is the cause of many disagreements between nations. Nationalism puts a nation in the position of thinking that their nation is superior to another and that their beliefs are what should be followed. Each nation believes and has different perspectives on a political topic. These nation states each stand for what they believe in and are fueled by the idea of power, ww1 in the early 1900’s created a competition between the nations. The nations then look to see where they can improve and compare themselves to other nations and where they may be lacking. Due to industrial revolution of germany is put at a greater stance military wise. Nations were then

Chauvinistic sentiments on behalf of the people of European nations as well as their leaders led to the conception of a militant culture that celebrated military dominance of nations and increased willingness to engage in warfare to protect the superiority of a nation. Furthermore, the rise of nationalism in Europe also led to the establishment of imperialism, as the notion of dominating a foreign land justified by racial, cultural, and economic superiority provided people with genuine pride and solidarity with a nation-state. The immediate causes of the First World War, the emergence of alliances and unrest within the Balkans, can also be accredited to the emergence of and conflicts between national identities. If the lessons learned in the outbreak of the First World War can be of any use to contemporary society, it is to serve as a reminder of the dangers of fanatical support for the superiority of a

In terms of themes that caused changes in history, there is little than can compare to the raw pressure exerted by nationalism on the course of history. This evolving dialectic was able to change the very political, social, and economic landscape of Europe. It was able to topple centuries old social and political paradigms while simultaneously building new hierarchies. Moreover, nationalism was able to adapt to changing economic conditions as the European continent adjusted to ever changing technology and new methods of production. As a consequence, nationalism created new political systems as old regimes were dismantled and new ones arose to take their place. Quite understandably, this complex milieu was approached by historians, regardless of the period that they wrote about, using different yet distinct methods. For instance, some historians sought to demonstrate the role of nationalism by exploring the effects of cultural diffusion on European populations. Others sought to explore nationalism in terms of a reactionary force to traumatic events, or to be more specific perceived traumatic events. Likewise, some historians sought to explore the impacts of nationalism as a phenomenon influenced by the actions of the individual.

A third incentive of European colonialism was nationalism. Europe wanted to prove its superiority by colonizing and being in control of as much land as possible. “During the period 1850 to 1871, the nation-state achieved its mature status in Europe.  Nationalism clearly became the principal basis for the organization of western civilization. This fact had earlier been demonstrated in England and in France during the course of their political revolutions. In this period, it became manifest throughout Europe. Nationalism is a primary motivating element, which determined the course of events in France during the regime of Napoleon III, Italy where unification was achieved, Germany, where unification was achieved, Russia where important steps towards modernization were taken, and the United States, which experienced the Civil War, a war to preserve the union.” [7] Nationalism is the equivalent of American Patriotism and in the same way creates a sense of unification. It appeals to every member of a nation and regardless of race, gender, social class; it was the promise of benefitting the entire nation.

Philosopher Ernest Gellner embodied the negative aspect of nationalism stating, “It is nationalism which endangers nations, and not the other way round.” (Ernest Gellner, Nations and Nationalism). Nationalism is a very dangerous weapon if gone unchecked. When fully examined, nationalism is the factor that has repeatedly led nations to use whatever means they deem necessary in order to accomplish their goals. As nations yearn to have a more powerful voice and become more competitive, their national interest becomes a priority above the needs and the lives of others. Numerous lives have been lost or negatively affected as an immediate outcome of an unhindered nationalistic spirit. Nations obliterate any force that stands in the way of national

Nationalism has become one of the most powerful uniting-and occasionally separating-powers of the modern age. Throughout history, there were numerous countries that exemplified both sides of this classic European belief. However, as time has passed, this pride and promotion of one’s country has developed far beyond the scope of Europe. Nationalist feelings fester in all parts of the globe now, and with that comes more complicated expressions of the sentiment, as well as carefully crafted governments that exist for the sole support of nationalist fervor.

The political and social conditions of Europe before the onset of the World War I were extremely unstable and undergoing a rapid transition that was driven by national interests of different nations living in the region. Nationalism was endorsed to promote patriotism among masses and to achieve political objectives that were in alignment with the national or political interests of countries. As the time passed, the growing influence of imperialism and the ideology of nationalism manifested multifaceted

     In the event of an integrated Europe, constructivists recognize that to completely avoid conflict, each state will have to succumb to a “European identity” and all individual identities will have to become merely “cultural gems” within the European system. This, they argue, can be achieved with the success of several steps including economic, judicial, and security integration . The first step has already been attempted with the establishment of the Euro, the common European currency, which has been outperformed by its monetary competitors. A great amount of trust will have to be secured between states before a common court or army can be established, and most likely with as little success as the common currency. So, even by these simplified guidelines the outlook for the creation of a new “European

Nationalism is the idea that a people who have much in common, such as language, culture and geographic proximity ought to organize in such a way that it creates a stable and enduring state. Nationalism is tied to patriotism, and it is the driving force behind the identity of a culture. Nationalism had many effects in Europe from 1815, The Congress of Vienna and beyond. In the following essay I will describe many of the consequences of nationalism on European identity, as well as some of the conflicts that it created.

The concept of nationalism is in essence an odd organization that has had significant impacts in world history through shaping the political and social aspects of the society. As an important aspect in the development of the society, the concept of nationalism has basically been analyzed based on its impact on the emergence of nation-states across the globe. In most cases, these analyses have been conducted to determine the influence of nationalism on imperial breakdown i.e. the dissolution of empires. While the actual extent of the impact of nationalism on the imperial breakdown is uncertain, this concept has played a major role in the dissolution of empires. Generally, the transition to nationalism has contributed to significant effects in world history through shaping the political and social aspects of the society.

The European Union (EU) is not a typical international organization. The mix of intergovernmental and supranational institutions makes the EU a unique, distinctive political, and economic system. As Europe has spiraled from one crisis to the next, difficult discussions haves arisen about how much more power should be delegated to Brussels. Even though the EU advocates for “ever closer union”, through increased integration, states are becoming hesitant to relinquish power to the EU. This is due to the fact that state sovereignty has become threatened; it is being compromised by a combination of the lack of effective democratic institutions and the loss of states have lost control of law-making to legislation power to EU institutions. Euroenthuthiasts argue that state sovereignty is enhanced, not threatened, by reallocating power to EU institutions. However, Eurosceptics dispute that too much control has seceded to the EU making is a threat to state sovereignty. My position aligns with Eurosceptics, for the EU has weakened state sovereignty do to increased centralization of power in EU institutions that lack legitimacy. The European Project has obtained a copious amount of jurisdiction from states and eroded a basic fundamental freedom of the modern state- sovereignty. Since the EU has with goals to deepen and widen integration it’s clear that forfeiting state sovereignty will only intensify. My essay will start with a brief history of the European Union and a short