Historiansplaining: A historian tells you why everything you know is wrong cover image

Unlocked: Myth of the Month 6: Political Left and Right

Historiansplaining: A historian tells you why everything you know is wrong

CHAPTER

What Is the Origin of the Nation State?

The idea that the power of a state should rest upon the sort of organic unity of a nation. That was considered a left wing idea at the time of the french revolution and the napoleonic wars. But then by the end of the nineteenth century, we're talking about incidents like the dreyfus affair,. Where you have french nationalists a demonizing and really knowingly persecuting jews who served in the french military and the french government. And these were consciously right-wing people. So this is sort of a great mystery in european historiography. Why? Why did nationalism move from left to write?

00:00
Transcript
Play full episode

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner