Introduction

The concept of Nationalism in Geopolitics is an extremely relevant and at the same time delicate theme to work with. In essence, nationalism is the ideology that preaches the supremacy of national interest above any other, be they individual or international, and that the state must ensure this national interest by protecting the nation.

It is believed that the concept of nationalism emerged during the French Revolution (1789), when the population felt, for the first time, as belonging to France, and not to a king or monarch. However, it is in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, during the nationalist conflicts that occurred in the process of unification of Italy and Germany, that the theme gains more visibility.

Regarding geopolitics, the concept of nationalism plays a fundamental role. It involves the distribution of power, the formation of alliances and conflicts, and also the making of important decisions about territorial borders, trade, government policies, migration, and many other aspects.

Contextualization

In the contemporary world, nationalism has been a potentially inflammatory factor in various regions, often resulting in violent conflicts when ethnic nationalism clashes with the political borders of the nation-state. The Balkans in the 1990s, for example, experienced violent episodes due to nationalist issues.

On the other hand, it is important to remember that nationalism is not necessarily violent or destructive. In many cases, it can be a means of resistance against oppression, just as it was important in the struggle for independence of many African and Asian countries during the 20th century.

The study of nationalism, then, is vital for understanding our current geopolitical configuration and for the development of policies that promote peace and cooperation among nations.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "National Identity and Geopolitics: Case Analysis"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to deepen students' knowledge about the concept of nationalism and its influence on world geopolitics, through research, analysis, and debate. Students should be able to understand and explain how nationalism, as a political force, shapes international relations and geopolitical conflicts.

Detailed Project Description

Students, divided into groups of 3 to 5 members, will select and study a country or region where nationalism has played a significant role in its recent history. The groups should investigate the emergence of nationalism in the chosen region, its impacts on the local and international geopolitical scenario, and how this nationalism is currently manifested. In addition, students should analyze how different forms of violence were used or fought in these situations of intense nationalism.

At the end of the project, each group must submit a written report and make an oral presentation of their findings to the class.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research.
• Resources for presentation development (PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.).
• Office supplies (paper, pens, etc.) for report preparation.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Completion

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students.

2. Each group should select a country or region for study.

3. Conduct research on the history of nationalism in the chosen region: How and when did it emerge? Who were its main leaders and movements? How does it relate to the current national identity?

4. Investigate the impact of nationalism on local and international geopolitics: What conflicts did it originate? How did it influence international relations? What is the role of nationalism in the formation of territories and borders?

5. Analyze the relationship between nationalism and violence in the chosen region: How were different forms of violence used or fought?

6. Prepare a detailed report of the findings, paying special attention to how nationalism influences geopolitics and how different forms of violence are an expression or response to this influence.

7. Prepare an oral presentation of the main findings to share with the class.

8. Deliver the oral presentation, promoting debate and reflection among all students.

Project Submission and Written Document

Each group must submit a written report presenting the main findings and reflections generated by the project. The report should follow the following structure:

1. Introduction: Consists of a brief contextualization of the chosen region and its relevance in the geopolitical context. It should also express the report's objective and the methodology used.

2. Development: In this stage, students should express the theory about nationalism, the influence of these concepts on geopolitics, the analysis of the case studied, and the relationship between nationalism and violence.

3. Conclusion: This section should recap and synthesize the main points discussed throughout the report, exposing its main findings, learnings, and conclusions about the project.

4. Bibliography: References of all materials used for the project development should be listed in this section.

All these elements should be aligned with the project's objective of deepening knowledge about nationalism and its influence on Geopolitics.