Nationalism and identity politics in International relations

Nationalism is a multi-faceted phenomenon. Expressing both claims for recognition and for superiority, it is marked by an intrinsic moral ambivalence. Politically, its emergence has coincided with the affirmation of liberal and democratic ideas, and in particular the notion of popular sovereignty. It expresses the political identification of citizens with their state, and the policies of governments to reinforce such identification. It is based on the existence of a shared national identity, relying on the presence of historical, cultural, language or religious bonds. However, because of the imperfect congruence of states and national identities, nationalism has also developed outside and against nation-state, to affirm the rights of minorities.
Since the international system is based on sovereign nation-states as its constituent units, nationalism is an intrinsic feature of it, often underestimated by International Relations theory. Nationalist policies of states, the competition for economic and political power in an international context where economic and political power differentials remain outspoken, contribute to the persistence of nationalism. Because statehood is the established form of recognition of national identities, the international system is moreover confronted with a permanent tension between maintaining the stability of the state system, and claims of minorities for statehood. While reluctant to accept such claims, except in the specific case of colonies, the international system has been more attentive to the cultural, linguistic and religious rights of minorities.
In the present political context, where nation-states remain the basic units of the international system, the demise of nationalism does not seem to be an immediate prospect. Policies defending the rights of minorities, recognizing their identities, respectful of claims of groups to acquire a public voice, and providing for the diminishment of unequal access to political power and of economic imbalances may nevertheless contribute to pacify nationalism.