Sectionalism vs. Nationalism — What's the Difference?

Sectionalism is loyalty to one's own region or section of the country, rather than to the country as a whole. Sectionalism occurs in many countries, such as in the United Kingdom, most notably in the constituent nation of Scotland, where various sectionalist/separatist political organizations and parties have existed since the early 1920s, beginning with the Scots National League.

Nationalism is an idea and movement that holds that the nation should be congruent with the state. As a movement, nationalism tends to promote the interests of a particular nation (as in a group of people), especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty (self-governance) over its homeland.

Excessive devotion to local interests and customs.

Identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations

Promoting the good of one division, department or subgroup over that of the whole.

Devotion, especially excessive or undiscriminating devotion, to the interests or culture of a particular nation-state.

Promoting the good of one region over that of the nation.

The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals.

A disproportionate regard for the interests peculiar to a section of the country; local patriotism, as distinguished from national.

The belief that a particular cultural or ethnic group constitutes a distinct people deserving of political self-determination.

A partiality for some particular place

Patriotism; the idea of supporting one's country, people or culture.

Support for the creation of a sovereign nation (which does not currently exist).

Support for the union of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The state of being national; national attachment; nationality.

An idiom, trait, or character peculiar to any nation.

National independence; the principles of the Nationalists.

A devotion to one's country; patriotism;

The policy of advocating the independence of one's country.

The policy of advocating the interests of one's own country exclusively, regardless of effects of a country's actions on other countries.

Love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it

The doctrine that several different cultures (rather than one national culture) can co-exist peacefully and equitably in a single country

The aspiration for national independence felt by people under foreign domination

The doctrine that nations should act independently (rather than collectively) to attain their goals