Since the creation of mankind there is an innate tendency for us to identify ourselves in our

own unique way. To clearly distinguish oneself from other individuals. So to, this tendency for

an identity is manifested in groups and by extension, nations. Most theories of nationalism

describe it as a form of collective consciousness and the cause of great historical change. Even

so, it signifies a set of beliefs and emotions that form the conceptual framework that is a

national identity. A nation having a national identity in the context of nationalism cannot be

ignored or looked upon as mere feelings since the idea of an individual or group living without

an identity can be equated to being unsubstantiated, groundless, one might even say.

According to Leah Greenfield, having an identity appears to be psychologically imperative and

therefore a sociological constant.

Leah Greenfield famously in her book Nationalism: Five Roads to Modernity (1992), traces the

emergence of the modern idea of the nation, that is nationalism, in sixteenth-century England.

Greenfield’s claim that “by 1600, the existence in England of a national consciousness and identity, and

as a result, of a new geo-political entity, a nation”. Nevertheless, while this may be the situation with

England, the very idea that nationalism is a state of consciousness, be it individualistic or collectivistic,

signifies its birth or it’s conceptualization as an important paradigm composed in in the minds of the

people. Understandably, nationalism emerged in the beliefs of a nation, that they can exist on their

own. This will of consciousness comes when an individual, a nation, has the need to be independent, the

need for identity, autonomy, and the desire to achieve religious, social, economic, and political reform.

The cause of such a phenomenon may occur because of historical attachment to longstanding conditions

and practices, political desires for power or autonomy. Social concerns for group values, customs and
traditions, economic concerns for standard of living or monetary gain, and undoubtedly, a geographic

affiliation with a particular territory.

We saw the emergence of nationalism in the Caribbean during the post emancipation era. The

Caribbean went through a series of events that greatly influenced the political and economic structure,

and the educational system that shifted the collective consciousness of the people towards the pursuit

of a nation identity. In January 1804 Haiti became the first independent nation of Latin America and the

Caribbean. Conversely, most of the Caribbean retained the English national consciousness, which means

the English and these Caribbean states varieties share the same quality of individualistic, civic

nationalism.

Consequently, there are limitation or downfalls to nationalism. With nation like the Caribbean that has

diverse array of race, religion, and culture, they lack emotional integration as a nation. One may

question whether there can be collective consciousness among the Caribbean given it’s culturally,

economic, social, and political diversity. Moreover, the inclusive nature of nationalism and its core

principles of fundamental equality of members can lead to parochialism. People's outlook becomes

narrow inciting hatred and jealousy of one nation to the inhabitants of another nation. Additionally,

nationalism weakens a nation’s ability to bargain with bigger nations, their availability or access to

resources and also the security of an umbrella nation protection.