What is the difference between nationalism and federalism? Thanks!
Every country may be ( and probably is) nationalistic. That is a feeling of pride in one's country.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/nationalism/
Not every country is federalistic.
That is a system of government.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/federalism/
Federalism is an idea where a central government shares power with lesser units. Keep in mind there are historical examples where nationalism has become unhealthy and led to wars.
Nationalism and federalism are both political ideologies that describe different ways to organize a country.
Nationalism is a belief or ideology that emphasizes the interests, sovereignty, and culture of a specific nation. It asserts that the nation, as a distinct entity, should have control over its own affairs and should prioritize its own interests above those of other nations. Nationalism often fosters a sense of loyalty and attachment to a particular nation, its history, culture, and identity.
Federalism, on the other hand, is a system of government in which power is divided and shared between a central authority and its constituent units, such as states or provinces. It aims to maintain a balance between the central government's authority and the autonomy of the subnational units. In a federal system, each level of government has its own specific powers and responsibilities, and they coexist in a way that allows the sharing of powers while preserving regional or local autonomy.
To understand the difference between nationalism and federalism, let's break it down:
1. Concept: Nationalism is a political ideology that emphasizes the interests, sovereignty, and culture of a specific nation. Federalism is a system of government that divides power between a central authority and its constituent units.
2. Focus: Nationalism focuses on the nation and prioritizes its interests above others. Federalism, on the other hand, focuses on the division of power between the central government and subnational units.
3. Scope: Nationalism is more concerned with a sense of national identity, culture, and sovereignty. Federalism, on the other hand, is concerned with the distribution of power and authority within a country.
In summary, the key difference between nationalism and federalism lies in their focus and scope. Nationalism emphasizes the interests of a specific nation, while federalism is a system that divides and shares power between different levels of government.