What is a nation/nationalism?

What is a nation? (Michael Hechter)

• Large group of non genetically related ppl
• Claim to a territorial homeland
• Collective history
• Cultural distinctiveness
• Aspiring to self-governance -- statehood or local political autonomy (Joireman)

Nationalism: political action for government to match nation's supposed territory

Lecture 2/17/22, Hechter's types of nationalism:

• State building: incorporate territory, blending in populations, ex. US
• Peripheral: secede, ex. Catalonia
• Irredentist: extend boundaries by taking territory of another state, ex. Russia/Crimea
• Unification: merging culturally homogeneous territory, ex. Italy, Germany