Contextualization

The term "nationalism" has its roots in the 19th century, but it continues to be a central and controversial concept in political and social sciences to this day. And this is not a mere coincidence, nationalism is intrinsic to our way of seeing and understanding the modern world and global geopolitics. But what exactly is nationalism? We can consider it as a political principle that states that the state and the nation should be congruent. In other words, we have the idea that a certain group with a common culture (the nation) should have its independent state.

In the geopolitical context, nationalism manifests itself in various ways, from the pursuit of autonomy and independence to the establishment of national borders and the defense of the country's interests. Nationalism is often a driving force for geopolitical changes, such as the formation of new countries or the redefinition of borders. It also plays a crucial role in defining the internal and external political agendas of countries.

The importance of this theme lies in understanding that nationalism is not just an ideology, but also a political and social phenomenon that shapes the history and future of our world. Nationalism can be a catalyst for social change, but it can also be a a source of conflict and division. Therefore, it is crucial to understand this concept to understand the world we live in.

The following readings are recommended for a broad understanding of the concept of nationalism in geopolitics:

1. Nationalism in contemporary history: An excellent article that addresses the history and implications of Nationalism.
2. Nationalism and Geopolitics: This text discusses the concept of nationalism and its importance in international relations and geopolitics.
3. Nationalism, yesterday and today: This article brings a historical perspective of Nationalism and discusses its contemporary manifestations.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Nationalism and Geopolitics - A Global Analysis"

Project Objective

To understand the theory and practice of nationalism in geopolitics through a playful and collaborative approach. The project will deepen students' understanding of the implications of nationalism in international relations and in the formation of territories and borders.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members. Each group will choose a country to study and analyze the influence of nationalism on its geopolitics. Choices may include countries from Asia, Europe, Africa, or the Americas. Each group will investigate the historical evolution of nationalism in that country, how nationalism influenced the formation of territories, borders, and international relations, ethnic-cultural diversity, and socio-economic, political, and technological characteristics.

Required Materials

1. Internet access for research.
2. Books and academic articles for consultation.
3. Text editing software for writing the report.
4. Presentation software for the final presentation (optional).

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Completion

1. Each group chooses a country for their study.
2. Students must then research and gather information about the chosen country, focusing on the history of nationalism in that country.
3. The research should cover the following topics:
   • The historical evolution of nationalism in the country.
   • The role of nationalism in the formation of territories and borders.
   • The influence of nationalism on internal and external geopolitics.
   • The ethnic-cultural diversity and socio-economic, political, and technological characteristics of the country.
4. Students must then discuss and analyze their findings to form a comprehensive understanding of the topic and draw conclusions.
5. Each group must then write a detailed report of their work, which should follow the following format:
   • Introduction
   • Development
   • Conclusions
   • Bibliography
6. The report must be submitted by the specified date (within one month).
7. Groups may also prepare a presentation to share their findings with the rest of the class (optional).

Project Deliverables

Students must submit a written report containing at least four parts: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.

• In the introduction, the group must contextualize the chosen country, demonstrating the relevance and application of the theme "nationalism" in its geopolitical situation. The project's objective must be clearly stated here.
• Next, in the development, students must explain the theory behind nationalism, as provided by the readings and classes, and explain how nationalism influenced the geopolitics of the chosen country. The methods used to investigate, the sources used, and the research results must be presented and discussed in this section.
• The conclusion should synthesize the main points discussed in the report and highlight the learnings obtained throughout the project. Conclusions should also be drawn about the impact of nationalism on the geopolitics of the chosen country.
• The bibliography should contain all sources of information used during the project.

The project will enhance students' ability to work in teams, conduct research, analyze data, and write reports. Additionally, they will have an in-depth understanding of the role of nationalism in geopolitics.