Christine Bellen's Batang Rizal

Nationalism is a political or social philosophy in which the welfare of the nation - state as an entity is considered paramount. It is basically a collective state of mind or consciousness in which people believe their primary duty and loyalty is to the nation - state (Columbian Encyclopedia). The nation, from which nationalism is directly derived, is Latin in origin - nation was used in medieval times without 'most often any political connotation. It means, like the Greek term ethnos, people, nation, country (Nurbu, Dawa. Culture, and the Politics of the Third World Nationalism). Nationalism in this sense first recorded 1844; earlier it was used in a theological sense of "doctine of divine election of nations" (1836). (Etymological Dictionary)

Historically, nationalism has been fostered by various technological, cultural, political and economic advances. The beginnings of modern nationalism may be traced back to the disintegration, at the end of the Middle Ages, of the social order in Europe and of the cultural unity of the various European states. National feeling was strengthened in various countries during the Reformation, when the adoption of either Catholicism or Protestantism as a national religion became an added force for national cohesion. Nationalism has becime increasingly popular since the French Revolution. National feeling in France until then had centered in the king. As a result of the revolution, loyalty to the king was replaced by loyalty to the patrie or fatherland. (Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia). Regional divisions, with their separate traditions and rights, were abolished, and France become a uniform and united national territory, with common laws and institutions. By the close of the 19th century, nationalism - a very pliant doctrine, as it turned about - was espoused by elements of both the left and right. Leftish have supported it as a vehicle to improve the well-being of citizens, while rightist use it to encourage unity and stability. (Baradat, Leon, Political Ideologies) World War I, early in the twentieth century, was at least partically cause by imperalistic competiton of Europe's powers that had been fostered by rightist nationalism. The war's end saw a general disenchantment with rightist nationalist. The end of the Cold War has seen many people who were formerly controlled by the Soviet Union asert their right to national self deterimination. At the same time, however, Western European Countries and North American states have taken steps toward international unions and the Muslim world has toyed with the idea of a huge, reactionary Pan-Islamic state.

Filipino nationalism is an upsurge of patriotic sentiments and nationalist idelas in the Philippines as a result of the Propaganda Movement. Nationalism in this sense, is the ideology of the struggle toward national liberation of the vast majority of Filipinos from suffering and poverty resulting from elitist and neocolonialist rule. (Ordonezm Elmer A., the Other View) The racial prejudices of the Spaniards against the natives had proved to be one of the strongest unifying factors, in which nationalism arise. The racial discrimination controvery that led to the execution of the the three martyr fathers Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora led to the birth of Filipino nationalism in the year 1872. The powerful force that charged it all out, igniting a fresh volley of courage was the time of Rizal's martyrdom. As a sentiment, nationalism has neither strongly swept or deeply penetreated the entire Philippine nation. However, some observers note that Filipinos suffer from "national amnesia" and colonial mentality. (Panopia (2004). Sociology: Focus on the Philippines). Filipinos have a strong preference for imported goods and easily adapt themselves to foreign ideas and ways. Many attribute their / our lack of national integration. However, schools, people's organizations, groups and individuals are now exploring more about their cultural roots and searching for national identity. This may eventually lead to a stronge sense of nationalism.