Development of Kurdish nationalism in Iraq

The meaning of modern nationalism is difficult to ascertain. Efforts have been made to clarify the word nationalism, as used today, by a simple definition or by a detailed account of its historical background. Carlton J. H. Hays writes, "In simplest terms, nationalism may be defined as a fusion of patriotism with a consciousness of nationality." Others, such as Arnold Toynbee, have sought the meaning of nationalism in the historical development of societies. In modern times, Toynbee argues, nationalism changed from an ideology based on territorial unity to one based on linguistic ties. In contrast, Hans Kohn sees nationalism as, above all, a state of mind and an act of consciousness. As Professor Mostofi points out, such attempts have been inadequate because nationalism "represents the sum total of a complexity of individual motivations originated under the impact of a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Today, scholars agree that nationalism is by no means a permanent, unchanging phenomenon.