Foremost, Boyd C. Schafer describes the traits of country that ought to boast of nationalism:
A nationalism-based country features methods of mobilization within its territories. It seeks to establish and maintain a measure of self-governance for the people who go on to make up a nation. For example, under the British Monarch, the people considered the entire country their home and all of the Crown’s protectorates abroad, such as the Indian colonies.
Subsequently, the identity factor of nationalism encompasses a unique culture and history. Particularly in language, distinctions create the criteria on which nations can gain their definitions and as a result, constitute the grounds from which inclusion and exclusion ideologies stem. For instance, Germans traced the history and cultures of Jews in other parts of Europe and developed anti-Semitic attitudes that eventually paved the way for the Holocaust.
In that sense, social policy that governs the actions of governments based on the welfare of the citizens become symbols of a wider set of values, social norms, and politics. Notably, if the culture becomes part of social policies, the latter may also boast of people-based actions because then, every policy would be a manifestation of political society. In England, until the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, Parliament action was subject to the church. In other words, the government faced limits drawn by the religious beliefs of the people and for that reason, the social institution of the church cemented national identity.
In another depiction of nationalism, solidarity among the inhabitants of a country is an essential element. Naturally, there might be some divisions as individuals pursue different professions; however, all strategies aim at ensuring the unity of the people through citizens’ duties and rights. For instance, Britain fought in the Napoleonic Wars of between 1803 and 1815 to protect its interests against the rapid spread of French influence in Europe. A sovereign government protects its status against all possible threats.
Members of a community that regards itself a distinct nation tend to give priority to associated national bonds. In other words, nationalists promote a correspondence between citizens and the boundaries of their country. Consequently, the British Empire had the King and Queen to dominate the country and the Parliament that carried out government tasks. The representation of Britain territories ensured that the people were aware of their relevance to the country.
With the factors that promote nationalism in mind, Boyd C. Schafer provides the principles that prove a people as nationalists;
The love or esteem for fellow nationals is evident in the case of Germany against foreigners. With a particular interest in the Jews, Germans considered Germany as the property of the natives and in no way supported the presence of immigrants in the State.
Devotion in nationalism encompasses the desire to protect and the capacity to do all that is necessary for the same. In the Napoleonic Wars, French citizens showed loyalty to their country by taking up arms and expanding the nation’s influence.
Subsequently, pride is another element in nationalism where what the people consider government actions as their personal achievements. For instance, British citizens thrived on colonies and for that reason, embraced the idea of slavery away from home only because it meant economic prosperities for the administration. Meanwhile, distress assumes a similar nature.
Still on the ownership of slaves in British colonies, the citizens of Britain showed no regard for the plight of enslaved Africans and other colored persons merely because they were of a different race. The disregard and hostile nature towards the different group encompassed another form of nationalism.
The hope that a nation would have a glorious future, especially through expansion was evident throughout Europe. Most of the European wars of the nineteenth century solely hoped for development and other economic benefits. The British wanted control over sea-trade and so fought the War of 1812 while the French desired the South America territories and fought Spain for the same. Either way, economic power meant supremacy for whoever possessed the same.
