Giuseppe Mazzini & Charles Maurras

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Giuseppe Mazzini 1805 – 1872

Giuseppe Mazzini was a prominent thinker in the development of liberal nationalism.

In seeking to overthrow the influence of Austria in Italy, Mazzini’s placed a strong emphasis on self-determination.
In pushing back against Empire, which Mazzini believed were authoritarian, individuals had a right to self-determination. The nation-state became the key vehicle for this.
Liberal ideals of freedom and republicanism would form the basis of the nation.
Human expression is channelled through the nation and through the self-determination that nationhood provides.

Mazzini believed that thought and action were intrinsically linked to such an extent that ‘thought and action’ became the key motto of Mazzini’s doctrine.
In a simplistic sense, this meant that action must follow thought but on a more nuanced level, it showed that action must be taken to overcome the oppression of authoritarian control.
Peaceful action is most desirable to break free from control but violence may be necessary. It is here where links can be made to the French Revolution.

Republicanism is the favoured construct of the state because it can provide the vehicle for the good of all society and not the narrow interests of a monarch and/or a royal family.
Unlike some strands of liberal and civic nationalism, Mazzini believed that each nation was distinct due to its cultural and/or linguistic context. This distinctiveness goes together with liberal values.

Charles Maurras was a critic of the liberal character of the French revolution and the rise of republicanism.

Integral nationalism originated with the thinking of Charles Maurras in 1900.
He considered that a monarch was a legitimising feature of nationalism because it gave the nation the cohesion that it required. The restoration of the monarchy in France would rebuild the tradition of the French nation.
In 1899 Maurras formed the Action Francaise to defend the country from, what he saw as the encroachment of Jewish, English and German influences.
He longed for the restoration of pre-revolution France with its monarchy and prominent role for the army.

This strand of nationalism has been characterised as extreme for the way that it rejects the liberal idea of common humanity. In a similar way to exclusive and chauvinistic nationalism, integral nationalism believes in a distinct, unique nation.
The interests of humanity and individuals are secondary to those of the nation. The preservation and continuation of the distinctive nation is the core goal of integral nationalists.
Integral nations may pursue global isolationism by not interacting with other nations.

Maurras argued that preserving the nation requires authoritarian control.
Given the lack of regard for humanity, citizens are expected to conform to single values and standards of behaviour required by the nation. Authoritarianism and militarism is required to ensure that this is maintained. Enthusiasm for and commitment to the nation is compulsory.
It is in this context that the desire for a monarch becomes apparent. A monarch would provide a strong, authoritarian figurehead to hold the nation together.

Integral nations may pursue global isolationism by not interacting with other nations.
The continued vitality of the nation is based on images of the past. Previous victories and/or ‘golden ages’ are revered and celebrated.
In the contemporary era, it is clear that North Korea is an integral nation. The monarchical-esque Kim dynasty hold the nation together through a brutal, militaristic authoritarianism.
The citizens are compelled to hold the same values and dissent is crushed.