National Identity and Sentiments in Social Contexts
Summary
National identity constitutes a multifaceted sense of belonging and shared belongingness that arises through historical narratives, cultural symbols and social practices. It encompasses cognitive elements, such as collective memory and symbols, and affective dimensions, including pride and solidarity. In social contexts, national sentiments can foster cohesion, motivate political participation and shape attitudes towards out-groups, yet they may also give rise to exclusionary or defensive postures. Contemporary research highlights the interplay between national narratives and global forces, showing how economic interdependence, migration and digital communication reconfigure citizens’ attachments to their nation. Experimental and survey-based studies reveal that forms of national attachment ranging from secure identification to more defensive or narcissistic variants influence public policy support, trade behaviour and intergroup relations. Ethnographic accounts further demonstrate how everyday rituals and media representations reproduce or challenge dominant national imaginations. Understanding these dynamics is vital for policymakers and civil society actors seeking to harness inclusive patriotism, mitigate xenophobia and navigate the tensions between globalisation and national sovereignty.
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National Identity and Sentiments in Social Contexts publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in national identity and sentiments in social contexts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
National identity: An individual’s felt sense of belonging, attachment and shared membership in a nation.
Nationalist sentiment: Attitudes and emotions reflecting devotion to one’s nation, often involving perceptions of superiority or exclusivity.
National narcissism: A defensive form of national identity marked by belief in a nation’s exceptionalism and a continual need for external recognition.
Secure national identification: A positive and confident sense of nationhood characterised by solidarity and openness, without hostility to out-groups.
Consumer ethnocentricity: The tendency of consumers to favour domestic products based on the belief that buying foreign goods is unpatriotic or harmful to the national economy.
Free trade agreements: International treaties that lower or eliminate barriers to trade in goods and services between signatory countries.
Psychic distance: The perceived cultural, economic or institutional gap between two countries that may affect bilateral interactions.
References
- The influence of societal nationalist sentiment on trade flows. Journal of International Business Policy (2023).
- Nationalism, Status, and Conspiracy Theories: Evidence from Pakistan. British Journal of Political Science (2024).
- Secure and defensive forms of national identity and public support for climate policies. PLOS Climate (2023).
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