The Functions of Nationalism

The essence of a particular national ideology is determined by it’s functions. In the contemporary world, nationalism has the two main functions: mobilizational and compensatory. As for it’s legitimational function, it’s importance considerably declined due to the expansion of the liberal-democratic discourse and activation of religious, confessional system, of legitimation. Nowadays, nationalism is comfortably used for mass mobilization, or for compensation of collective traumas. At the same time, nationalistic rhetoric turned out to be very effective tool for weakening of psychological feelings of society’s frustrated segment[1].
[1]Малахов В.С. Национализм как политическая идеология. М. 2005