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To what extent do nationalists agree on the core ideas and principles of the state? You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer. - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 7 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 7
To what extent do nationalists agree on the core ideas and principles of the state? You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:To what extent do nationalists agree on the core ideas and principles of the state? You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer. - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 7 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
Points in Agreement
Answer
Nationalists argue that the state is built around people identifying as a cohesive group, a nation, with shared values.
Some nationalists share a common theme for their own state, as an expression of self-determination. It is central to nationalism that the notion of a nation defines its people and their rights (Mazzini).
At its core, these shared or common values can have various origins, from language to history, culture, or beliefs.
The key judgement here is that the state serves as a focal point for nationalism.
Step 2
Points in Disagreement
Answer
While some nationalists support the creation of a world of nation-states, there are others who embrace expansionist character, rejecting this vision (Mauras).
Liberal and post-colonial nationalists tend to argue that civic nationalism should be inclusive, promoting an idea of the self that transcends singular identities (Herder).
This divergence leads to conflicting views on how the state can create and reinforce an inclusive national identity, where some believe in an exclusive definition that can exclude others based on historical or racial grounds.
The contention highlights that nationalists utilize the state in very different ways.