Research Paper on:
Theoretical Approaches to Nationalism

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
is a uniquely modern social phenomenon (Hutchinson and Smith 47). From this common ground, theorists proceed in multiple directions to answer questions such as how did the modern conception of  nationalism form? What is a nation? What is a state? Why is ethnicity a force in building nations and in tearing them down? An examination of various theoretical perspectives demonstrates  the wide variety of opinion that this field has attracted, looking specifically at the insightful work of Harold R. Isaacs in his text, Idols of the Tribe. First published  in 1975, Idols of the Tribe is considered to be a classic text on global pluralism and ethnicity. In this text, Isaacs examines the relationship between group identity and political  activism. Isaacs, looking at nationalism from the perspective of a social psychologist, focuses on the shared traits and histories that serve to create bonds between individuals (Beatty). In this text,  Idols of the Tribe, Isaacs endeavors to explain why individuals desire and seek out attachments; why they are drawn to groups (Beatty). Isaacs feels that one of the primary motivating  factors is a fear of being alone (Beatty). In the contemporary environment, Isaacs argues that society is being fragmenting into smaller and smaller divisions. Isaacs delves further into the processes  involved in group Isaacs neo-Freudian approach postulates a link between the individual and the group that forms the basis for the "quality and power of mans tribal solidarity, his  overwhelming urge to belong and identify himself with a tribe or nation and that groups system of beliefs (Beatty). In explaining this, Isaacs focuses on psychologist Erik Eriksons concept of  how community shapes individual development through the factors that composite the ethnic or the "basic group identity," such as physical characteristics; names and language; history and origins, religion, and nationality