Teleological and reflexive nationalism in the new Europe

This chapter examines the growing influence of reflexive over teleological nationalism in sub-state movements. Teleological nationalism is the more conventional modern type, involving a menu of set goals, the ultimate being full sovereignty. Reflexive nationalism, by contrast, involves an adjustable relationship between a self-defining ‘people’ and a set of institutional platforms, where collective goals are cumulative rather than predetermined, relative rather than absolute. Reflexive nationalism claims a standing right to decide - ‘sovereignty of choice’ rather than ‘sovereignty of outcome’. Particularly in the unsettled environment of contemporary multilayered Europe, where the supranational EU challenges the sovereign authority of member states, national movements (in Scotland, Catalonia, Flanders, etc.) tend towards reflexive nationalism.