Glossary
Ethnic Cleansing
The systematic forced removal or killing of members of an ethnic or religious group from a given territory by a more powerful ethnic group, with the intent of creating an ethnically homogeneous region. It is considered a crime against humanity.
Example:
During the Yugoslav Wars, the Srebrenica massacre was a horrific act of ethnic cleansing where Bosnian Serb forces systematically murdered thousands of Bosniak men and boys.
Nationalism
A strong identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, often to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations. It can be a unifying force but also a source of conflict.
Example:
After the fall of the Soviet Union, many former republics experienced a surge in nationalism, leading to the formation of independent states based on shared cultural and linguistic identities.
Patriotism
Love for one's country and a willingness to defend it, often characterized by a sense of pride in one's nation's achievements and values. Unlike nationalism, it is generally not aggressive or exclusionary.
Example:
Displaying the national flag on a holiday or cheering for one's country in the Olympics are common expressions of patriotism.
Separatism
The advocacy or practice of separation of a certain group of people from a larger body on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or gender. It often seeks greater autonomy or complete independence from an existing state.
Example:
The Basques in Spain have a long history of separatism, seeking independence from the Spanish state to preserve their unique language and culture.