Nationalism, Patriotism, and Chauvinism
How I understand and separate these three terms.
Nationhood is the idea that large numbers of people can form a specific and recognisable identity group, known as a nation, usually organised around a common language but it can be other things, like religion, race, or geographical area.
Nationalism
Nationalism is the belief that these group identities are a good thing and that state borders should, as far as is practical, line up with national borders.
Patriotism
The idea that your state or nation is worth supporting above others. Often manifests as service to one’s state or nation that goes beyond what is expected.
Chauvinism
The belief that your state or nation is objectively superior to others. (Somewhat confusingly chauvinism can also mean the belief that your gender is superior to others.)
When I say I am a nationalist the above is what I mean. That all nations deserve their own state (within the limits of practicality; there are some very tiny nations out there and some that are too geographically fragmented). I believe that nationalism is a good thing because it leads to greater societal trust levels, which in turn leads to less conflict and higher efficiency.
When the state (legally defined zone of jurisdiction), the nation (group of shared identity), and country (natural geographic area), have borders that are coterminous the best outcomes are achieved for that society. It’s not always possible to have all three, but it’s always worth striving for (to the point of some amount of forced population exchange), and having two out of three is better than just one.