read this x pert
Nationalism refers to an
ideology, a
sentiment, a form of
culture, or a
social movement that focuses on the
nation.
[1] It is a type of
collectivism emphasizing the collective of a specific nation. While there is significant debate over the historical origins of nations, nearly all
specialists accept that national
ism, at least as an ideology and social movement, is a
modern phenomenon originating in
Europe.
[2] Precisely where and when it emerged is difficult to determine, but its development is closely related to that of the modern
state and the push for
popular sovereignty that came to a head with the
French Revolution in the late
18th century. Since that time, nationalism has become one of the most significant political and social forces in history, perhaps most notably as a major influence or cause of
World War I and especially
World War II with the rise of
fascism, a radical and authoritarian nationalist ideology.
[3][4][5][6]
As an ideology, nationalism holds that 'the people' in the
doctrine of popular sovereignty is the nation, and that as a result only
nation-states founded on the principle of
national self-determination are
legitimate. Since most states are
multinational, or at least home to more than one group claiming national status,
[7] in many cases nationalist pursuit of self-determination has caused conflict between people and states including
war[8] (both external and
domestic),
secession; and in extreme cases,
genocide.
Nationalism is a strong social phenomenon in the world as
national flags,
national anthems and national divisions are examples of '
banal' nationalism that is often mentally unconscious.
[9] Moreover, some scholars argue that nationalism as a sentiment or form of culture, sometimes described as '
nationality' to avoid the ideology's tarnished reputation, is the social foundation of modern society.
Industrialization,
democratization, and support for
economic redistribution have all been at least partly attributed to the shared
social context and solidarity that nationalism provides.
[10][11][12]
Even though nationalism ultimately is based on supporting ones own nation, nationalists of different states may perfectly well cooperate among each other as to support the ultimate worldwide belief that all groups of nationalities have the right to have their own nations.
Nevertheless, nationalism remains a hotly contested subject on which there is little general consensus. The clearest example of opposition to nationalism is
cosmopolitanism, with adherents as diverse as
liberals,
Marxists, and
anarchists, but even nationalism's defenders often disagree on its
virtues, and it is common for nationalists of one persuasion to disparage the aspirations of others for both
principled and
strategic reasons. Indeed, the only fact about nationalism that is not in dispute may be that few other social phenomena have had a more enduring impact on the modern world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism
in a good way 
