Civic nationalism, also known as liberal nationalism,
is a form of nationalism identified by political
philosophers who believe in an inclusive form
of nationalism that adheres with traditional
liberal values of freedom, tolerance, equality,
and individual rights.Civic nationalists often
defend the value of national identity by saying
that individuals need a national identity
in order to lead meaningful, autonomous lives
and that democratic polities need national
identity in order to function properly.
Civic nationalism is frequently contrasted
with ethnic nationalism.
Ernest Renan is often thought to be an early
civic nationalist.
== Overview ==
Civic nationhood is a political identity built
around shared citizenship within the state.
Thus, a "civic nation" isn't defined by its
language or culture, but by its political
institutions and liberal principles, which
its citizens pledge to uphold.
Membership in the civic nation is open to
anyone who shares these values.In theory,
a civic nation or state does not aim to promote
one culture over another.
German philosopher Jürgen Habermas argued
that immigrants to a liberal-democratic state
need not assimilate into the host culture,
but only need to accept the principles of
the country's constitution (cf.
Constitutional patriotism).
== History ==
Civic nationalism lies within the traditions
of rationalism and liberalism, but as a form
of nationalism it is contrasted with ethnic
nationalism.
Membership of the civic nation is considered
voluntary, as in Ernest Renan's classical
definition in "Qu'est-ce qu'une nation?" of
the nation as a "daily referendum" characterized
by the "will to live together".
Civic-national ideals influenced the development
of representative democracy in countries such
as the United States and France (see the United
States Declaration of Independence of 1776,
and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and
of the Citizen of 1789).
The Corsican nationalist movement organized
around the FLNC is giving a civic definition
of the Corsican nation ("destiny communauty")
in the continuity of Pasquale Paoli and the
ideas of the Lumières.
The Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru,
which advocate independence of their respective
nations from the United Kingdom, proclaim
themselves to be civic nationalist parties,
in which they advocate the independence and
popular sovereignty of the people living in
their nations society, not individual ethnic
groups.
The Republican Left of Catalonia supports
a civic Catalan independentism and defends
a Catalan Republic based on republicanism
and civic values within a diverse society.Outside
Europe, it has also been used to describe
the Civil War-era Republican Party in the
United States.
== See also ==
Civic virtue
Cultural nationalism
Imagined community
Nation-building
Postcolonial anarchism
