The belief that the human world is an array of distinct peoples, each possessing a keenly felt sense of national identity, each with its indigenous national government, is among the enduring myths of conventional political wisdom. In fact, a sense of national identity follows the creation of political boundaries as often as it precedes them. Once in place, national boundaries frequently create bonds among the people within them, who, as a result, may often develop a sense of identification with the nation where they reside. However, there have been nations, such as the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, where a deeply rooted sense of national identity never developed, as demonstrated by the fact that each exploded into ethnic conflict as soon as the bonds of military control were removed.
Keywords
National Government Ethnic Identity Global Economy Political Philosophy National IdentityPreview
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Notes
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