ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the evolving character of East Timorese nationalism. It deals with an historical overview of nation-building and national identity in Timor-Leste, and explores how supralocal forms of political identity developed over the long sweep of East Timorese history from 1515 to 2015. The chapter explains how competing ‘nations-of-intent’ have ideologically contested the political values and identity of the nation from 1970s decolonisation era onwards. It focuses on the future of East Timorese nationalism, reflecting on the implications of the ‘youth bulge’ in East Timorese society. Though they disagree over the processes of forming national communities, scholars of nationalism broadly agree that there are several major types of modern nations. A new consensus on ‘official’ nationalism saw partially reformulated ideas of East Timorese identity advanced by the newly united elite, seeking to transform a national identity of resistance to one mobilised around national development.
