Nationalism and the State

To what extent does nationalism help or hinder in integrating a state?


I. INTRODUCTION
Nationalism has often been synonymous in influencing methods of governance. However, the interpretation of nationalism has brought about unexpected consequences. Nationalism has seen a war that witnessed massive destruction to the world in the mid twentieth century, all due to the nationalist ambitions of Germany’s Adolf Hitler. Likewise, Italian leader Benito Mussolini harboured similar aspirations only to suffer the same fate as Germany. Conversely, nationalism also gave birth to the most populous nation in the world, China. The teachings of Mao Tse Tung, beginning in the nineteen fifties up to seventies has shaped China’s economic and cultural landscape fifty years later. But not all leaders have been as successful as Chairman Mao. Robert Mugabe’s leadership has been less impressive in Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwe’s economic policies being rather myopic for its people (BBC, 2003). Nat...