Can we Treat Nationalism as Simply a Civic Religion?

The article analyzes the legitimacy of classifying nationalism as a civil religion. It offers a unique perspective on the study of nationalism and religion by integrating selected sociological concepts into the analysis. Based on a thematic analysis of scholarly literature, it demonstrates that nationalism can structure individuals’ hierarchy of values similarly to religion, becoming a supreme point of reference in making social and political decisions. This article argues that nationalism can serve a quasi-religious function both at the level of individual identity and collective identity.