8.10A Nationalism

• Factors used to emphasise nationalism:

  • education
  • sport
  • Politics
• How education has been implemented by nationalism:

  • National Curriculum teaches Fundamental British Values (2014) of democracy, rule of law, respect, tolerance and individual liberty through citizenship, history and other subjects
  • Contested values in terms of which national stories and symbols however, it does attempt to bring some cohesion to what is learnt
• How sport has been implemented by nationalism:

  • national unifying force through Football and Rugby World cups or Winter and Summer Olympics etc. where flags, painted faces and traditional songs form part of the national sporting ritual
  • However, the UK is unusual in that nationalism of sport is not solely on a unified nation, but fragmented into Welsh, English, Irish and Scottish nations
• How politics has been implemented by nationalism:

  • Political parties use symbols such as the rose, lion, dragon, oak or union flag as part of their image, which appeal to particular national identities
  • Not all people can or want to relate to these symbols, some even find them offensive and off-putting, particularly voters with international or European connections/outlook