Nationalism

A nation can be distinguished from a state by the fact that a nation is often considered an ethnic or cultural community, whereas a state is considered a political entity. The concept of nationalism is based on the assumptions that humankind can be naturally divided into distinct nations and that each of these nations is comprised of a political community. Membership of this political community is often linked to a strong sense of identity, frequently defined by common origin, ethnicity or cultural ties. The concept of Nationalism is often linked the idea of legitimacy and a consequent desire for self-determination. Cultural nationalism emphasises the need to defend and strengthen cultural heritage, such as a national language, religion or a way of life.