Modern Philosophical Political Science
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The Development of the Nation-State and Modern Ideology |
More recent philosophical political science has dealt with
the growth of modern society, particularly as it has been influenced by forces such as the
Industrial Revolutions (late 18th
and 19th centuries) and the French
Revolution (1789-1794). The growth of technology has caused great convenience,
labor-saving machines and forms of social organization. It has also disrupted familiar
patterns of social institutions such as the family and church. With more mobility and faster-paced lives, our social
relations are changing more quickly and dramatically. One of the first changes as the
French Revolution significantly broke down class barriers was the growth of nation-states
and nationalism. Nationalism is defined as "the collective feelings of identity,
loyalty, and shared values held by the citizens of a nation-state, nationalism manifests
itself in patriotic sentiment, a willingness to sacrifice for the national interest, and
support of national policies." The growth of nationalism at the end of the 19th century was a strong factor in the origins of
a unique scope of war known as "World War." The 20th century, in addition to nationalism as a strong force in global politics saw the rise of ideology which can be defined as "any set of fixed, predictable ideas held by politicians and citizens on how to achieve the public good." Ideologies such as Communism and Fascism for example, even modern Democracy, all react in some way, negative or positive to the dislocations caused by the Industrial Revolution and the liberalism that gave greater representation to the common people in the late 19th century. |