The Roots of Nationalism in European History

This book challenges the commonly held belief that Nationalism is a recent phenomenon. It surveys European history from the tribal stage to 1989-90, and concludes with a commentary on events between 1990 and the European Elections of May 2019. During this review, it comments on the growth of nations across the European scene and the early signs of the various types of nationalism. Nationalism demands many qualifying adjectives, and this is examined as its variations occur. The study explores humanity’s propensities, especially the sense of alienation towards those who speak another language or have a different ethnicity, customs, or religious belief. In addition, it looks at humanity’s other inclinations to seek territory, wealth, resources, power and influence. These determinants, it is argued, form the basis of Nationalism, whether it is projected by the rulers or emerges from the populace. The book proposes that Nationalism is as “old as the hills”, but became dangerously aggressive in the twentieth century and remains a serious issue.