1968 Quote by Hannah Arendt
““Nationalism always preserved this initial intimate loyalty to the government and never quite lost its function of preserving a precarious balance between nation and state on one hand, between the nationals of an atomized society on the other. Native citizens of a nation-state frequently looked down upon naturalized citizens, those who had received their rights by law and not by birth, from the state and not from the nation…””
About This Quote
Nationalism balances loyalty to the state with a fragile tension between the collective nation and individual citizens, often marginalizing naturalized members.
In simple terms: Nationalism mediates state‑citizen relations.
Key Takeaway
Loyalty vs. inclusion.
Themes
Identity
Political Theory
Citizenship
Social Cohesion
Exclusion
Mood
Analytical
Reflective
Type
Philosophical
Political
When to use this quote
- Debates on immigration policy
- Analysis of nationalist rhetoric
- Design of inclusive civic education
- Comparative studies of citizenship models
Key Concepts
Nation‑state
Loyalty
Naturalization
Social stratification
Practical Applications
- Policy brief on integration
- Academic article on nationalism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does nationalism shape attitudes toward newcomers?
- Can a nation maintain unity without excluding naturalized citizens?
![“The absolute monarch was supposed to serve the interests of the nation as a whole, to be the visible exponent and proof of the existence of such a common interest. The enlightened despotism was based on [Duc de] Rohan's "kings command the peoples and interest commands the king"; with the abolition…” quote by Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/230/hannah-arendt-610_1968_the-absolute-monarch-was-supposed-to-ser_1887875.jpg)
