The concept of National Identity impacts society in many ways, and upheld the division among Europe’s competing states of the Modern Era. To Europeans their national identities were profoundly personal and were utilized by the rulers of major european countries to facilitate competition and rivalry amongst opposing nation-states.
The focus and purpose of the ideology supporting a national identity greatly influences its consequences of the society it represents. Maintaining the Enlightenment values of progress, tolerance, and rationality became a challenge while trying to develop a national identity in collaboration with a successful political and economic system.
Systems such as capitalism,democracy, socialism, communism, nationalism, and fascism all face the challenge of maintaining Enlightenment values while maintaining a prosperous ongoing society. The universal challenge of all political and economic systems is to find the right balance of focus and purpose and national identity.
Too much emphasis on national identity can lead to an intolerant, and self-serving mindset, resulting in violence and aggression towards others. Avoiding the concept of national identity entirely makes society vulnerable by reducing focus and purpose. The focus and purpose of a political and economic system determines the consequences society experiences.
A successful society avoids stagnation and self destruction by finding the right balance between emphasis placed on national identity, focus and purpose within governing systems, and implementing values outlined by the Enlightenment. This balance ensures the continual growth and sustainability of society.
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