Contextualization

Nationalism is a concept loaded with diverse meanings that evoke both positive and negative feelings. In general, nationalism is an ideology that proposes that each nation should have political autonomy in governing its own society. The concept emerged in Europe in the 19th century, mainly during the French Revolution, as a political force asserting the nation as the primary unit of political identity.

In geopolitics, nationalism can arise as a powerful force, galvanizing peoples around a common sense of belonging to a nation. Its mobilizing potential is strategically used by political leaders to unite peoples under a common cause. On the other hand, nationalism can also become a divisive force, causing conflicts and wars between nations.

The relevance of this theme is evident in the current world. In various parts of the world, we see the concept of nationalism being used to promote a country's sovereignty, justify restrictive immigration policies, or even motivate conflicts. Thus, understanding nationalism and its implications in geopolitics is an essential task for any Geography student.

Below, we share some reliable resources in Portuguese that can be useful for delving deeper into the topic:

1. The book "Nationalism", by Ernest Gellner. Link to buy the book
2. "Nationalism and Geopolitics", text by Francisco Carlos Teixeira da Silva. Link to the text
3. "Geopolitics and Nationalism", video from the series "Geopolitics on maps" from the Youtube channel "Geografar". Link to the video

It is worth noting that these links are just a starting point. We encourage you to seek more references to understand the concept of nationalism in its entirety and enhance your critical views on the subject.

Practical Activity - "Nationalism Around the World: A Collaborative Case Study"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to offer students an opportunity to deepen their knowledge about the concept of nationalism and its influence on world geopolitics through a case study. To do so, groups should choose a country as the object of study, investigate the history of nationalism in that country, and how this concept influenced, and continues to influence, its socio-economic, political, and technological aspects.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group must choose a different country as the object of study and conduct in-depth research on the history of nationalism in that country. The research should address: the formation of national sentiment, significant historical moments driven by nationalism, policies implemented based on nationalist arguments, and the implications of these policies on the current situation of that country.

Based on this research, each group should prepare a "portfolio" on nationalism in their chosen country. The portfolio should include: a brief history of nationalism in the country, policies or laws implemented by the government based on nationalist ideals, challenges and conflicts arising from these policies, testimonials or quotes from citizens or experts on the subject (if found in their research), and a critical analysis of the impacts of nationalism in that country.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research
• Text editing software and portfolio creation (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs)

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Choose a country as the object of study.
3. Conduct in-depth research on the history of nationalism in that country. Focus on the formation of national sentiment, significant historical moments driven by nationalism, and policies implemented based on nationalist arguments.
4. Based on the research, prepare a portfolio on nationalism in the chosen country. Make sure to include all items mentioned in the project description.
5. Review and edit the portfolio before submission.

Upon completing the project, groups should present the final portfolio and a report detailing their experience with the project. The report should follow the guidelines above and should include the following topics:

1. Introduction: provide context for the project theme and explain its relevance.
2. Development: Describe the theory of nationalism, the methodology used to develop the research and portfolio, and the results obtained.
3. Conclusions: summarize the main points of the project, describe the learnings obtained, and draw conclusions about the concept of nationalism and its influence on geopolitics.
4. Bibliography: List all sources used in your project.

The project must be completed and submitted within one week. After the project is completed, the teacher will evaluate the portfolio and report according to the defined evaluation criteria.