Fourteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Top-down nationalism was identified by Charles Tilly as a methodology of control instituted by political elites to distract from endemic problems that could destabilize their ability to control a country and threaten their political preponderance. It is the purpose of this paper to argue that nationalism is used by elites to distract from internal crises during transition periods to consolidate power, and thus, collective models of governance will help overcome this trend within political life. To illustrate this point, three case studies will be presented that outline nationalistic tendencies in an area of the world which has undergone significant political transitions: Eastern Europe. Through an examination of nationalism in Romania, Poland, and Hungary; this paper hopes to identify a potential theoretical model of collective governance that will help overcome some of the challenges presented.