This course will introduce you to the major questions and debates within nationalism studies, especially as they relate to democracy. What is a nation? How does a national community arise and why does it change? Why does nationalism sometimes produce violent protests and wars, and other times drive more development and constructive engagement with government? Is nationalism ultimately good or bad for democracy? We will explore such questions using the major theories and evidence from comparative politics about the causes and consequences of identity. By the end of the course, you should have a strong grasp of nationalism as a living, ever-shifting sociopolitical phenomenon and be able to discuss its powers and pitfalls, particularly in light of resurgence of nationalist policies across many democracies around the world.