Nationalism has emerged as one of the most compelling political creeds that has shaped history in significant ways. It acts as a double-edged sword, capable of both uniting and dividing people, liberating them as well as generating bitterness and conflict.

Nationalism has united people by inspiring intense loyalties among them. In the nineteenth century Europe, nationalism led to the unification of a number of small kingdoms into larger nation-states. The present day German and Italian states were formed through such a process of consolidation. Local dialects and local loyalties were gradually consolidated into state loyalties and common languages, giving people a new political identity based on membership of the nation-state.

However, nationalism has also divided people and caused deep hatreds. It has been a factor in the break up of empires such as the Austro-Hungarian and Russian empires. Nationalist struggles have contributed to the drawing and redrawing of boundaries of states. At present, separatist struggles within existing states are common, showing how nationalism can create divisions.

Nationalism has helped liberate people from oppressive rule. It has been a factor in the formation of new states in Latin America and has inspired people to struggle against oppressive regimes.

Yet, nationalism has also been the cause of conflict, bitterness and wars. The same force that unites people against oppression can generate hostility towards others, leading to prolonged conflicts and suffering.