ABSTRACT
Nationalism may be defined as the heightened ethnic beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of societies mobilized on behalf of their acknowledged self-interest. In order for such activity to occur it is first necessary for a population to become convinced that it possesses common socio-cultural characteristics and that these similarities are important. Neither of these traits - recognition of common socio-cultural characteristics and conviction with respect to their overriding importance - is part of man's biological make-up and neither exists in all human populations at all times. Therefore, this inquiry can begin with a brief look at the circumstances that tend to heighten or to dampen this recognition and these convictions. 1
