Liberal, conservative, anti/post-colonial and expansionist nationalism | Edexcel A-Level Politics
Updated: 1 day ago
For Specification 9PL0
Edexcel A-Level Politics | Free Revision Notes
Estimated study time:Â 60-70 minutes
Nationalists agree that the nation should occupy a central place in political life, but they disagree significantly about what nationalism should achieve and how nations should relate to other nations. This Liberal, conservative, anti/post-colonial and expansionist nationalism A-Level Politics revision page examines Edexcel's four principal types of nationalism and compares their inclusive and exclusive, progressive and regressive, and rational and more romantic characteristics. These divisions build directly on national identity and self-government [Nations, self-determination and the nation-state] and different bases of national identity [Culturalism, racialism and internationalism].
Learning Objectives 🎯
By the end of this revision page, you should be able to:
Explain the main features of liberal nationalism.
Explain the purpose and characteristics of conservative nationalism.
Explain how anti/post-colonial nationalism responds to colonial rule.
Explain why expansionist nationalism rejects universal national self-determination.
Compare rational and progressive forms of nationalism with more regressive forms.
Analyse and evaluate differences between inclusive and exclusive nationalism.
Revision Notes đź“š
Liberal, conservative, anti/post-colonial and expansionist nationalism A-Level Politics revision
The Edexcel specification identifies four different types of nationalism:
Liberal nationalism, which seeks a world of autonomous nation-states.
Conservative nationalism, which exists to forge cohesion and unity within society.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism, which rejects colonial rule and seeks to return governance to the indigenous population.
Expansionist nationalism, which rejects the right of all nations to self-determination and is usually linked to chauvinism.
These four types share the belief that the nation matters, but they can disagree sharply over:
self-determination
who belongs to the nation
the purpose of the nation-state
relations with other nations
whether nationalism is inclusive or exclusive
whether nationalism is progressive or regressive
Understanding these differences is crucial because Edexcel political ideas questions often ask about the extent of agreement or disagreement within nationalism.
Key terminology for comparing types of nationalism
Before examining the four strands, it is useful to understand the terminology Edexcel expects you to use.
Term | Meaning |
Rational | The idea that humans can use reasoned thought and make logical decisions for themselves. |
Progressive | Ideas that seek to move society towards improvement. |
Regressive | Ideas that seek to return society to a former or less advanced condition. |
Inclusive nationalism | Nationalism in which joining the nation is relatively straightforward because membership does not depend on shared previous experiences. |
Exclusive nationalism | Nationalism in which becoming part of the nation takes time because membership depends on shared history and language. |
Chauvinistic nationalism | Nationalism which considers its own nation superior to others and sees other nations as potential threats. |
Imperialism/colonialism | The extension of one country's control over another through settlement or economic domination. |
These terms come directly from the specification glossary and are particularly useful for building comparisons rather than simply describing each nationalist strand separately.
Liberal nationalism
Liberal nationalism seeks a world of autonomous nation-states.
It combines nationalism's commitment to the nation with liberal ideas about freedom and rational choice.
At the centre of liberal nationalism is the argument that nations should be able to determine their own political future.
This means:
nation → self-determination → autonomous nation-state
Liberal nationalism therefore connects directly to national self-determination [Nations, self-determination and the nation-state].
Liberal nationalism and self-determination
Liberal nationalists believe that nations should be free to govern themselves.
This means opposing the domination of one nation by another.
A world based on national self-determination would consist of autonomous nation-states in which nations are able to choose their own form of government.
Edexcel assessment materials repeatedly associate liberal nationalism with:
self-determination
freedom
autonomous states
opposition to imperialism and colonial domination
international cooperation
Liberal nationalism does not therefore require hostility towards other nations.
Instead, it can support a world in which independent nation-states coexist and respect one another's sovereignty.
Liberal nationalism as rational nationalism
Liberal nationalism can be described as rational because it places importance on people's ability to make political choices.
The nation can be understood as a political community formed by citizens who voluntarily accept shared political values.
This relates closely to civic nationalism, which bases membership on the active participation of citizens and their status as equals.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's civic nationalism provides the key thinker connection, which you will examine in nationalist thinkers and civic nationalism [Rousseau, Herder and Mazzini].
The essential point for this lesson is:
Liberal nationalism tends to define national membership politically rather than requiring a person to possess a particular inherited cultural background.
This contributes to its relatively inclusive character.
Liberal nationalism as progressive
Liberal nationalism is generally presented as progressive within the Edexcel course.
It seeks improvement through:
freedom from domination
national self-determination
political participation
autonomous nation-states
cooperation between independent nations
Edexcel mark schemes connect liberal nationalism with the belief that nations are equal, sovereign and autonomous and that a world of independent nation-states can promote peace and progress.
This also links liberal nationalism to liberal internationalism, studied in nationalism and international cooperation [Culturalism, racialism and internationalism].
Liberal nationalism and inclusion
Liberal nationalism tends towards inclusive nationalism.
Under an inclusive understanding of nationality, membership does not have to depend on:
common ancestry
inherited culture
a shared historical background
race
Instead, membership may depend on accepting the shared civic values of the political community.
This means an individual can become a member of the nation without necessarily sharing the previous experiences of those already within it.
đź’ˇ Exam distinction:Â Inclusive does not mean the nation has no shared values. Liberal nationalism still requires a common political identity. The difference concerns what must be shared.
Conservative nationalism
Conservative nationalism exists to create or strengthen cohesion and unity within society.
Where liberal nationalism focuses particularly on national freedom and self-determination, conservative nationalism focuses more strongly on the nation's capacity to hold society together.
The nation provides individuals with:
identity
belonging
shared values
cultural continuity
social cohesion
This makes nationalism a means of preserving unity.
Conservative nationalism and social cohesion
Conservative nationalism regards a common national identity as an important source of social unity.
Members of the nation may be tied together by factors such as:
language
culture
traditions
historical experiences
a shared national way of life
This connects conservative nationalism strongly with the cultural approach to national identity [Culturalism, racialism and internationalism].
If people recognise themselves as members of the same national community, differences within society may be outweighed by their shared national identity.
Nationalism can therefore act as a force for cohesion.
Conservative nationalism and cultural identity
Conservative nationalism is more closely associated with cultural nationalism than liberal nationalism.
Rather than understanding national membership primarily through shared civic values, conservative nationalism may regard culture, language and inherited traditions as essential to the nation's distinctive character.
Johann Gottfried von Herder's ideas about the Volk and Volksgeist provide an important thinker connection.
His cultural nationalism is explored fully in Rousseau, Herder and Mazzini [Rousseau, Herder and Mazzini].
The difference between liberal and conservative nationalism can therefore be summarised as:
Liberal nationalism | Conservative nationalism |
Civic | Cultural |
More rational | More emotional or romantic |
Freedom and self-determination | Cohesion and unity |
Membership relatively open | Membership may require cultural integration |
Generally inclusive | Generally more exclusive |
Conservative nationalism and self-determination
Conservative nationalism should not be confused with expansionist nationalism.
Conservative nationalists can support self-determination.
However, Edexcel assessment material distinguishes their reasoning from that of liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalists.
Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalists tend to emphasise the rights of nations generally.
Conservative nationalism is more concerned with:
maintaining its own nation's cohesion
protecting national identity
preserving a distinctive culture
Its support for self-determination can therefore be more limited in its international outlook.
Conservative nationalism as exclusive nationalism
Conservative nationalism is generally more exclusive than liberal nationalism.
Under Edexcel's definition of exclusive nationalism, joining the nation takes time because membership is connected to shared history and language.
A newcomer may therefore need to integrate into an established national culture.
The distinction is:
Liberal nationalism:Â accept the nation's civic values.
Conservative nationalism:Â become part of the nation's established cultural community.
This does not mean conservative nationalism necessarily claims that outsiders can never join.
That would confuse cultural nationalism with the more extreme exclusivity associated with racialism.
Instead, membership may require assimilation over time.
Edexcel's 2024 mark scheme specifically identifies conservative nationalism as defending language, religion, traditions or a national "way of life", while liberal nationalism takes a more open civic approach.
Is conservative nationalism regressive?
The term regressive refers to ideas seeking to return society towards a former or less advanced condition.
Edexcel assessment materials often contrast:
the rational and progressive qualities of liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism
the more romantic, backward-looking or regressive elements of conservative and expansionist nationalism
Conservative nationalism may be viewed as more regressive because it places importance on maintaining established national traditions and cultural inheritance.
However, a strong examination answer should not simply state:
"Conservative nationalism is regressive."
You should explain why it may be considered regressive and contrast this with its purpose of creating cohesion and stability.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism
Anti/post-colonial nationalism rejects colonial rule and seeks to have governance returned to the indigenous population.
It develops when people subject to external rule identify themselves as a nation entitled to political independence.
The logic is:
colonial domination → nationalist opposition → self-determination → indigenous self-government
This makes self-determination central to anti/post-colonial nationalism.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism and colonial rule
Imperialism/colonialism involves one country extending control over another.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism rejects this because external control prevents a nation from deciding how it should be governed.
The demand for national liberation therefore follows directly from the principle of self-determination.
If a nation is a genuine political community, anti/post-colonial nationalists argue that its government should not be imposed by an external power.
Returning government to the indigenous population
The specification specifically states that anti/post-colonial nationalism seeks the return of governance to the indigenous population.
This is important because political independence is not simply about changing governmental institutions.
The essential objective is transferring political control:
from colonial rulers → to the people who constitute the colonised nation
Anti/post-colonial nationalism therefore seeks to replace external domination with national self-rule.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism and self-determination
Anti/post-colonial nationalism shares substantial common ground with liberal nationalism.
Both support:
freedom from domination
national self-determination
opposition to imperialism and colonialism
national self-government
Edexcel assessment materials frequently pair liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism because both can present nationalism as a means of liberation.
However, the reasons do not have to be identical.
Liberal nationalism emphasises a wider principle that nations should be free and autonomous.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism develops specifically in response to colonial domination and the demand to restore indigenous government.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism as progressive
Anti/post-colonial nationalism is generally associated with progressive nationalism.
It seeks political change rather than the restoration of external domination.
Progress involves:
ending colonial rule
achieving self-government
increasing political freedom
allowing the nation to determine its own political future
This gives anti/post-colonial nationalism an important similarity with liberal nationalism.
The two strands can therefore be contrasted together against the more regressive elements of conservative and expansionist nationalism.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism and inclusion
Edexcel assessment materials generally treat anti/post-colonial nationalism as a relatively inclusive form of nationalism.
It does not necessarily define political membership through a single inherited culture or race.
Marcus Garvey's Pan-Africanism provides an important future example of nationalist solidarity extending across cultural and ethnic divisions.
You will examine this fully in contrasting nationalist identities [Maurras and Garvey].
For this lesson, the important comparison is that anti/post-colonial nationalism is generally grouped with liberal nationalism as more inclusive, whereas conservative and expansionist nationalism tend to be more exclusive.
Expansionist nationalism
Expansionist nationalism rejects the right of all nations to self-determination and is usually connected with chauvinism.
This places expansionist nationalism in fundamental conflict with liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism.
Most nationalism argues:
Our nation deserves self-determination.
Expansionist nationalism can instead imply:
Our nation has interests or rights that override the self-determination of other nations.
This transforms nationalism from a doctrine of national liberation into one capable of justifying national domination.
Chauvinistic nationalism
Chauvinistic nationalism believes that its own nation is superior to others and may regard other nations as threats to its survival.
This sense of superiority can encourage expansionist nationalism.
The logic can become:
our nation is superior → other nations are inferior or threatening → domination can be justified
This sharply contrasts with liberal nationalism's understanding of nations as autonomous political communities entitled to self-determination.
Expansionism and self-determination
The biggest ideological difference between expansionist nationalism and most other nationalist strands concerns universal self-determination.
Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism support national freedom.
Conservative nationalism also generally supports its own national independence and does not inherently seek to dominate other nations.
Expansionist nationalism is different because it can deny other nations:
sovereignty
independence
self-government
equal political status
Edexcel mark schemes therefore describe expansionist nationalism as the principal exception to nationalism's widespread support for self-determination.
Expansionist nationalism and imperialism
Because expansionist nationalism can reject the rights of other nations, it may support imperialism or colonialism.
This creates a direct opposition:
Anti/post-colonial nationalism | Expansionist nationalism |
Rejects colonial domination | Can support imperial or colonial domination |
Seeks liberation | Can produce oppression |
Supports indigenous self-government | Can deny another nation's self-government |
Supports self-determination | Rejects universal self-determination |
Generally progressive | Generally regressive |
This is one of the sharpest divisions anywhere within nationalism.
Expansionist nationalism and militarism
Expansionist nationalism may also be associated with militarism.
Military strength can become an expression of national power and a means of pursuing national expansion.
Charles Maurras's integral nationalism and militarism provide the thinker connection for this position.
These ideas are developed in Maurras and Garvey [Maurras and Garvey].
Edexcel assessment material connects Maurras's expansionist nationalism with national superiority, military conflict and domination of other nations.
Expansionist nationalism as regressive
Expansionist nationalism is generally characterised as regressive within the Edexcel course.
This is because it can:
reject equal national rights
reject universal self-determination
promote chauvinism
support domination
encourage imperialism or colonialism
contribute to conflict between nations
Rather than using nationalism to extend freedom, expansionist nationalism can use the power of the nation-state to restrict the freedom of others.
Expansionist nationalism as exclusive
Expansionist nationalism is also strongly exclusive.
It can present the nation as:
unique
special
superior
threatened by outsiders
based on common ancestry
This creates a much sharper distinction between those regarded as members of the national community and those regarded as outsiders.
Edexcel's assessment material describes expansionist nationalism as more exclusive than conservative nationalism because it may add a belief in national superiority to an already restrictive understanding of belonging.
Some variants may also be associated with racialism, although racialism itself remains a position held by only a very small group of nationalists.
Comparing the four types of nationalism
At a glance
Liberal | Conservative | Anti/post-colonial | Expansionist | |
Main objective | Autonomous nation-states | Cohesion and unity | Liberation from colonial rule | Expansion and national dominance |
Self-determination | Strong support | Generally supports it, especially for its own nation | Strong support | Rejects the right of all nations to it |
Nation | More civic | More cultural | National community seeking liberation | Highly exclusive national community |
Outlook | Rational | More emotional/romantic | Generally rational | More emotional/chauvinistic |
Progressive/regressive | Progressive | More regressive | Progressive | Regressive |
Inclusive/exclusive | Inclusive | More exclusive | Generally inclusive | Highly exclusive |
Colonialism | Opposed | Not inherently expansionist | Fundamentally opposed | Can support imperialism/colonialism |
International relations | Cooperation between autonomous states | Focus on preserving own nation | Liberation and self-government | Competition and domination |
This comparison is particularly useful for essay planning.
Inclusive and exclusive nationalism
One of the most important differences between the four nationalist traditions concerns membership of the nation.
Inclusive nationalism
Inclusive nationalism believes joining a nation is comparatively straightforward and quick because membership is not based on shared previous experiences.
It is most clearly associated in Edexcel assessment material with:
liberal nationalism
anti/post-colonial nationalism
Liberal nationalism is inclusive because civic membership can be based on accepting shared political values.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism can also emphasise solidarity and political liberation without requiring membership to be defined purely through one inherited culture or race.
Exclusive nationalism
Exclusive nationalism believes it takes time to become a member of the nation because membership depends on shared history and language.
It is more closely associated with:
conservative nationalism
expansionist nationalism
Conservative nationalism may expect newcomers to assimilate into the nation's cultural traditions.
Expansionist nationalism can go further, drawing stronger distinctions between the nation and outsiders and potentially presenting its own nation as superior.
The degree of exclusivity can therefore vary.
A useful spectrum is:
liberal nationalism → anti/post-colonial nationalism → conservative nationalism → expansionist nationalism
This is a broad comparison of tendencies in the Edexcel materials, rather than a claim that every nationalist within each tradition occupies exactly the same position.
Civic and cultural bases of inclusion
The distinction between inclusive and exclusive nationalism is closely connected to the distinction between civic and cultural nationalism.
Civic approach
Membership is based primarily on:
shared political values
citizenship
participation
equality within the political community
This is associated particularly with liberal nationalism.
Cultural approach
Membership is based more heavily on:
language
historical experience
traditions
a national way of life
This is associated particularly with conservative nationalism.
Expansionist nationalism can become even more exclusive by adding:
intense patriotism
chauvinism
national superiority
strong hostility towards outsiders
Progressive and regressive nationalism
The four strands can also be compared through the concepts of progressive and regressive nationalism.
Progressive nationalism
Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism are generally classified as progressive.
They seek:
self-determination
liberation
freedom
autonomous government
a peaceful world of self-governing nations
More regressive nationalism
Conservative and expansionist nationalism are more frequently classified as regressive in Edexcel assessment material.
Conservative nationalism looks towards established culture and traditions to maintain cohesion.
Expansionist nationalism can look towards national superiority, domination and militarism.
However, the distinction between them remains important.
⚠️ Conservative nationalism is not simply a weaker version of expansionist nationalism.
Conservative nationalism seeks primarily to preserve and unify its own national community.
Expansionist nationalism seeks or justifies the dominance of one nation over others.
This is a distinction recent examiner feedback has specifically identified as an area students need to understand more clearly.
The biggest areas of agreement
Despite their differences, the four traditions remain forms of nationalism.
The nation is politically important
All place national identity at the centre of their political ideas.
Society needs a shared identity
All forms of nationalism recognise some form of shared identity or values binding members of the nation together.
Most nationalists support self-determination
Liberal, anti/post-colonial and conservative nationalism generally support self-determination, although for different reasons and to different extents.
Expansionist nationalism provides the major exception.
Most nationalism rejects colonial domination
Liberal, anti/post-colonial and conservative nationalists generally support self-determination and consequently reject colonialism or imperial domination.
Again, expansionist nationalism is the major exception.
The biggest areas of disagreement
What makes a nation?
Liberal nationalism stresses a civic political identity.
Conservative nationalism gives greater importance to inherited culture.
Expansionist nationalism can develop a still more exclusive understanding.
Who can join?
Liberal nationalism is relatively open.
Conservative nationalism may require cultural assimilation over time.
Expansionist nationalism creates the strongest distinctions between the nation and outsiders.
Does every nation have a right to self-determination?
Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism strongly support this principle.
Conservative nationalism generally supports self-determination but focuses more heavily on its own national cohesion.
Expansionist nationalism rejects the equal right of all nations to self-determination.
Is nationalism progressive?
Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism can present the nation as a vehicle for freedom and political progress.
Conservative nationalism focuses on preserving established national culture.
Expansionist nationalism can use national power as a vehicle for domination.
A useful comparison framework for essays
Rather than memorising four completely separate descriptions, compare the traditions around common themes.
Theme | Liberal + anti/post-colonial | Conservative + expansionist |
National identity | More civic/inclusive | More cultural/exclusive |
Direction | More progressive | More regressive |
Reasoning | More rational | More emotional or romantic |
Self-determination | Strongly supported | Conservative support is more limited; expansionist nationalism rejects universal self-determination |
Other nations | Greater emphasis on freedom and coexistence | Conservative nationalism protects its own nation; expansionist nationalism may dominate others |
This is not a claim that each pair is identical.
In fact, the differences within these pairings can provide excellent AO2 analysis.
For example:
Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism agree on self-determination, but liberal nationalism begins from the wider objective of autonomous nation-states while anti/post-colonial nationalism specifically responds to colonial domination.
Similarly:
Conservative and expansionist nationalism can both be more exclusive, but conservative nationalism seeks cohesion within its own society whereas expansionist nationalism may claim superiority and deny the freedom of other nations.
That extra layer of comparison is exactly what turns description into analysis.
Key Words 🔑
Key word | Student-friendly definition | How it may be used in an exam |
Inclusive nationalism | Nationalism in which joining the nation is relatively straightforward because membership does not depend on shared previous experiences. | Compare liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism with more culturally restrictive forms. |
Exclusive nationalism | Nationalism in which becoming part of the nation takes time because membership depends on shared history and language. | Explain why conservative and expansionist nationalism can have narrower concepts of national membership. |
Progressive | Ideas that seek to move society towards improvement. | Compare liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism with more regressive nationalist traditions. |
Chauvinistic nationalism | Nationalism which considers its own nation superior to others and sees other nations as threatening. | Explain why expansionist nationalism can reject universal self-determination. |
Imperialism/colonialism | The extension of one country's control over another through settlement or economic domination. | Contrast anti/post-colonial opposition to foreign rule with expansionist nationalism. |
Hints from the Examiner Reports đź’ˇ
Examiner hint:Â Structure nationalism essays around themes of agreement and disagreement, rather than writing one section on each strand. In the 2023 examination, stronger answers often paired liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism against conservative and expansionist nationalism, while still examining differences within the two groups.
Examiner hint:Â Keep the word "extent"Â at the centre of the essay. Stronger candidates made their position clear from the introduction and continued making judgements throughout the body of the response, rather than saving evaluation for the conclusion.
Examiner hint: Use the key terminology from the specification. Terms such as progressive, regressive, inclusive, exclusive, rational and chauvinistic allow you to make much sharper comparisons between the four traditions. The 2025 report specifically praised effective use of this political vocabulary.
Examiner hint: Do not simply position strands "side by side". Explain why they agree or disagree. The 2025 report identified theme-based comparison as much more effective than working through each nationalist tradition separately.
Examiner hint:Â Use thinkers to support arguments between the strands rather than making the thinkers the structure of the essay. Writing that Herder is a conservative nationalist is not enough. Explain how his cultural nationalism demonstrates a more exclusive understanding of the nation.
Examiner hint:Â Include all relevant strands. Examiner reports repeatedly note that leaving out one of the nationalist traditions restricts the breadth of comparison and makes a fully developed judgement harder to achieve.
Examiner hint:Â Be particularly precise when distinguishing conservative nationalism from expansionist nationalism. The 2025 report identified this as an area requiring clearer student understanding. Conservative nationalism seeks national cohesion, whereas expansionist nationalism rejects the equal self-determination of other nations.
Common Mistakes ⚠️
Mistake: Treating all four types of nationalism as completely separate
Why this is incorrect: There is considerable overlap. Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism share support for self-determination, while conservative and expansionist nationalism can both be more exclusive.
How to improve: Revise through themes such as self-determination, inclusivity and progress versus regression, then compare several traditions within each theme.
Mistake: Saying conservative nationalism is expansionist
Why this is incorrect: Conservative nationalism seeks cohesion and unity within its own society. Expansionist nationalism goes further by rejecting the universal right of nations to self-determination.
How to improve: Remember:
conservative = preserve and unite
expansionist = dominate and expand
Mistake: Saying conservative nationalism rejects self-determination
Why this is incorrect: Conservative nationalism generally supports self-determination, although its focus is more strongly on maintaining its own national cohesion than establishing the universal rights of all nations.
How to improve: Use qualified language such as "more limited support"Â rather than saying conservatives reject the principle.
Mistake: Describing anti/post-colonial nationalism simply as opposition to foreign countries
Why this is incorrect: Its specific defining feature is rejection of colonial rule and the restoration of governance to the indigenous population.
How to improve: Use the sequence:
colonial rule → rejection → self-determination → indigenous government
Mistake: Assuming all nationalism is exclusive
Why this is incorrect: Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism can be inclusive. Liberal nationalism in particular bases national membership around civic values rather than inherited cultural experience.
How to improve: Distinguish the civic basis of liberal nationalism from the more cultural basis of conservative nationalism.
Mistake: Treating expansionism as ordinary patriotism
Why this is incorrect: Expansionist nationalism is associated with chauvinism, which includes the belief that one's nation is superior to others.
How to improve: Explain how perceived superiority can lead to rejection of the rights and self-determination of other nations.
Mistake: Simply labelling strands progressive or regressive
Why this is incorrect: The terms themselves do not provide analysis.
How to improve: Always explain the reason. For example:
Liberal nationalism can be considered progressive because it connects national self-determination with freedom and autonomous government.
Exam-Style Questions ✍️
Question 1
Define inclusive nationalism. (2 marks)
Answer:
Inclusive nationalism believes that joining a nation is relatively straightforward and quick because membership does not depend on shared previous experiences.
Question 2
Explain one difference between liberal nationalism and conservative nationalism. (4 marks)
Indicative answer:
Liberal nationalism seeks a world of autonomous nation-states and is more closely associated with a civic and inclusive understanding of national membership. Conservative nationalism instead places greater emphasis on using a shared national and cultural identity to create cohesion and unity within society.
Award credit for an accurately identified difference which is then developed.
Question 3
Explain why anti/post-colonial nationalism supports self-determination. (6 marks)
Indicative mark scheme:
Credit should include:
rejection of colonial rule
colonial government involves control by an external power
nationalism regards the nation as capable of self-government
anti/post-colonial nationalism therefore seeks governance returned to the indigenous population
self-determination provides the political mechanism through which national liberation can occur
Higher marks require clear links between colonialism and self-government.
Question 4
Analyse two differences between conservative nationalism and expansionist nationalism. (8 marks)
Indicative mark scheme:
Possible differences include:
Purpose
conservative nationalism aims to forge cohesion and unity within its own society
expansionist nationalism may seek dominance over other nations
Self-determination
conservative nationalism generally accepts national self-determination, although its concern is primarily its own national community
expansionist nationalism rejects the right of all nations to self-determination
National identity
both can be relatively exclusive
expansionist nationalism can go further by becoming chauvinistic and claiming national superiority
Strong answers should directly compare the strands rather than describe them separately.
Question 5
Consider the following statements:
Nationalist A:
"Our country should govern itself, and every other nation should have the same freedom to determine its political future."
Nationalist B:
"Our nation's unique traditions and inherited way of life hold society together and must be protected."
Nationalist C:
"Our nation is superior to its rivals and should not allow weaker nations to restrict its power."
Analyse how the three statements reflect different types of nationalism. (8 marks)
Indicative mark scheme:
Nationalist A:
liberal nationalism
self-determination
autonomous nation-states
rational/progressive approach
Nationalist B:
conservative nationalism
national cohesion
cultural identity
more exclusive approach
Nationalist C:
expansionist nationalism
chauvinism
national superiority
rejection of equal rights for other nations
Higher-level analysis should compare the implications of the three positions for self-determination and relations between nations.
Question 6
Analyse why liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism can both be described as progressive. (8 marks)
Indicative answer:
Both forms of nationalism support self-determination and reject the domination of one nation by another. Liberal nationalism seeks autonomous nation-states and treats national political freedom as part of a progressive international order. Anti/post-colonial nationalism similarly seeks liberation from colonial rule and the return of government to the indigenous population. Their motivations are not identical, but both use nationalism to extend political freedom rather than to dominate other nations.
Question 7
To what extent is nationalism an inclusive political idea? (24 marks)
You must use appropriate nationalist thinkers to support your answer.
Indicative content
Arguments that nationalism is inclusive:
Liberal nationalism is associated with civic nationalism.
National membership can be based upon voluntary acceptance of shared political values.
Rousseau's civic nationalism supports active citizenship and political equality.
Liberal nationalism supports self-determination for autonomous nation-states.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism can be inclusive in its opposition to domination.
Garvey's Pan-Africanism creates solidarity across cultural and ethnic divisions.
Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism do not require race to define membership.
Arguments that nationalism is exclusive:
Conservative nationalism places greater importance on established culture.
Membership can require adoption of language, history and national traditions.
Herder's cultural nationalism demonstrates a more culturally rooted understanding of the nation.
Expansionist nationalism draws stronger distinctions between insiders and outsiders.
Chauvinism claims that one's nation is superior to others.
Maurras's integral nationalism represents an especially intense form of national identity.
Some highly exclusive forms may be associated with racialism, although racialism is held by only a very small group of nationalists.
Assessment guidance
The 24 marks are divided equally between:
AO1, 8 marks:Â knowledge and understanding
AO2, 8 marks:Â comparative analysis
AO3, 8 marks:Â evaluation and substantiated judgement
A strong structure could compare:
civic versus cultural membership
openness versus assimilation
equality between nations versus chauvinism
A justified judgement might conclude that nationalism cannot be characterised as inherently inclusive or exclusive. Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism provide substantial evidence that nationalism can be inclusive, but conservative nationalism imposes stronger cultural requirements and expansionist nationalism is markedly more exclusive. The answer therefore depends significantly on how each strand defines national membership.
Question 8
To what extent is there more disagreement than agreement between the different types of nationalism? (24 marks)
You must use appropriate nationalist thinkers to support your answer.
Indicative content
Areas of agreement:
All nationalist traditions put the nation at the centre of political ideas.
All emphasise some form of common national identity.
Liberal, conservative and anti/post-colonial nationalism generally support self-determination.
Most nationalist traditions oppose colonial or imperial domination.
Most support the importance of the nation-state, although for different reasons.
Areas of disagreement:
Liberal nationalism is civic and comparatively inclusive, whereas conservative nationalism is more cultural and exclusive.
Liberal and anti/post-colonial nationalism are generally progressive, whereas conservative and expansionist nationalism are more often associated with regressive nationalism.
Liberal nationalism seeks autonomous nation-states while conservative nationalism focuses more on social cohesion.
Anti/post-colonial nationalism seeks liberation from colonialism while expansionist nationalism can support imperialism.
Expansionist nationalism rejects the equal right of every nation to self-determination.
Chauvinistic nationalism can claim national superiority.
The traditions therefore differ significantly in their understanding of both national membership and relations between nations.
Suggested thematic structure
Paragraph 1: What constitutes the nation?
Compare civic and cultural understandings and make a judgement about the significance of the difference.
Paragraph 2: Self-determination
Compare liberal, conservative and anti/post-colonial agreement against expansionist disagreement.
Paragraph 3: Progress and international relations
Compare national liberation and peaceful coexistence with chauvinism, imperialism and expansion.
Overall judgement
A strong conclusion might argue that there is a substantial nationalist core based around the political importance of the nation and widespread support for self-determination. However, the disagreements are ultimately profound because the strands differ over who belongs to the nation, whether all nations possess equal rights, and whether nationalism should liberate nations or permit one nation to dominate another.
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