NatsEdit
Nats is a shorthand used in political discourse to describe adherents of nationalism and supporters of policies aimed at prioritizing the interests, identity, and governance of a nation-state. The term is fluid and used in different ways across times and places. In everyday usage it can denote civic, cultural, or ethnically tinged forms of national sentiment, and it is sometimes used as a nickname for sports teams (for example, the Washington Nationals). This article concentrates on the political and policy-oriented sense of the term, including how it has developed, what it values, and how the major debates around it unfold in contemporary governance.
In its political sense, nationalism is about sovereignty, self-determination, and the idea that political order should be anchored first and foremost in the nation as the primary arena of political legitimacy. This often translates into a strong emphasis on border controls, immigration policy, and policies designed to preserve or renew a sense of shared national identity and social trust. It is a broad tradition that encompasses a wide range of movements and parties, from reformist, civic forms that emphasize common citizenship and equal rights to more exclusionary currents that stress cultural homogeneity. Throughout, the core idea is that a nation's citizens deserve a political framework that serves their interests, respects their laws, and preserves their cultural and economic autonomy within the international system. See also nationalism and civic nationalism.
Core principles
Sovereignty, borders, and self-government
Nationalist currents place primary importance on national sovereignty—the idea that political authority should be derived from the nation itself and exercised through a legitimate, accountable government. This often involves careful management of borders and immigration to preserve social cohesion, public resources, and the rule of law. Proponents argue that sovereignty is essential to democratic accountability because governments can be held directly responsible to their own citizens rather than distant international actors. See also sovereignty and border control.
Economic patriotism and policy autonomy
A recurring theme is economic nationalism: policies that prioritize domestic industries, jobs, and competitiveness, sometimes through selective tariffs, procurement rules favoring national suppliers, and investment in strategic sectors. Supporters contend that such strategies strengthen national resilience, reduce dependence on external markets for critical goods, and align economic outcomes with the broader national project. See also economic nationalism and trade policy.
Cultural continuity and civic cohesion
Nationalist currents often emphasize a shared national identity, history, and values as a basis for social cohesion and political legitimacy. This can include support for national language(s), traditions, and education that foster a common civic culture while maintaining a pluralistic framework for individual rights. The emphasis is on inclusion within a shared political community rather than monocultural uniformity; some strands stress a more stringent assimilationist approach, while others advocate a more inclusive form of national belonging. See also national identity and civic nationalism.
Law, order, and constitutionalism
A stable political order is typically framed around the rule of law, constitutional norms, and accountable institutions. Nationalist arguments often key off the idea that predictable legal frameworks and controlled migration enable stronger enforcement of laws, safeguard public safety, and ensure that policy incentives align with the will of the national community. See also rule of law and constitutionalism.
National defense and foreign policy orientation
Countries with strong nationalist currents tend to prioritize a robust defense posture and a foreign policy that protects national interests, skepticism about careless entanglements in distant commitments, and a preference for diplomacy and alliances that clearly advance the national project. See also defense policy and foreign policy.
History and currents
Civic nationalism vs ethnonationalism
Within nationalist thought, there is a longstanding distinction between civic nationalism and ethnonationalism. Civic nationalism grounds political membership in shared laws, institutions, and civic responsibilities, often with a broad inclusive policy toward newcomers who adopt the nation’s civic framework. Ethnonationalism, by contrast, emphasizes a perceived shared ethnicity or culture as the basis of political belonging and often raises more contentious questions about minority rights and immigration. See also civic nationalism and ethnic nationalism.
Historical development
Nationalist ideas have accompanied the rise of modern statehood, from early constitutional projects to 19th- and 20th-century state-building, and into current debates over globalization, migration, and technology. Proponents argue that nationalism provided legitimacy and cohesion during periods of rapid social change, while critics point to risks of exclusion, senior user rights concerns, and tensions with liberal democratic principles. See also nationalism and liberal democracy.
Contemporary currents
Today’s nationalist movements run a spectrum from reformist, institution-loving polling-driven parties to movements that stress cultural sovereignty or economic self-reliance. Some advocate for strong but lawful national unity, while others promote more aggressive resistance to supranational influences. See also sovereignty, economic nationalism, and globalization.
Policy debates and controversies
Immigration, assimilation, and pluralism
A central debate concerns immigration policy and its impact on social cohesion, competition for jobs, and fiscal sustainability. Proponents of stricter controls argue that orderly immigration policy protects wages, welfare systems, and social trust, while ensuring newcomers adopt shared civic norms. Critics contend that stringent limits can hurt economy and innovation and that inclusive, well-managed immigration can enrich a country. Proponents often claim that their stance is about practical governance rather than exclusionary sentiment. See also immigration policy and multiculturalism.
Woke criticisms of nationalist policy are common in broader public discourse. Critics may claim that nationalism inherently divides people by race or ethnicity, or that it undermines universal rights. Proponents frequently respond that many contemporary nationalist currents emphasize civic belonging and equal political rights within the nation, and that conflating national policy with ethnic supremacy is a distortion. They may also argue that open borders and unfettered immigration can strain public services and dilute accountability to citizens. See also ethnic nationalism and globalization.
Trade, globalization, and economic policy
Nationalist orientations often favor more selective globalization—protecting critical domestic industries, ensuring supply chain resilience, and prioritizing workers’ interests. Critics of these positions worry about higher consumer costs, retaliation in trade, and reduced global cooperation on shared challenges. Advocates counter that a prudent, pro-sovereignty approach can deliver long-run economic security, better job outcomes for citizens, and a more predictable policy environment. See also economic nationalism and globalization.
Culture, education, and national memory
Discussions about what a nation’s schools teach, what languages are promoted, and which cultural narratives are prioritized are common in nationalist debates. Supporters argue that education should reinforce civic responsibility and national values, while critics warn that heavy-handed cultural policies can suppress minority voices and intellectual diversity. Proponents insist that a nation’s cultural foundations should be preserved in a way that respects individual rights and pluralism. See also education policy and national identity.
Civil liberties and inclusion
A recurring tension exists between upholding individual rights and maintaining a cohesive national framework. Nationalist policies may emphasize the primacy of law and social solidarity, while ensuring that rights are protected under the national constitution. Critics may charge that such policies can marginalize minorities, whereas supporters argue that a well-ordered national policy is compatible with universal rights and that inclusion is best achieved through fair, transparent processes. See also civil liberties and rule of law.