“Can nationalism be pacified?” Prof. Dr. Boris Vormann publishes research article comparing nationalism in Québec and Germany 

Prof. Dr. Boris Vormann has recently published an article in the Journal of Canadian Studies with co-author Ingo Kolboom titled, “Can nationalism be pacified? An invitation to a comparison between Quebec and Germany,” (“Lässt sich Nationalismus befrieden? Einladung zu einem Vergleich zwischen Québec und Deutschland”). 

The abstract of the article lays out that, “in the face of illiberal tendencies, civic forms of nationalism around the world are being hollowed out by ethno-nationalist autocratic populists” while the national movement in Québec has maintained a civic-minded “emancipatory form of nationalism.” By comparing the case of Québec with the resurgence in ethno-nationalism in Germany, the authors uncover several characteristics of intercultural nationalism.  

A major turning point occurred with the Quiet Revolution in the 1960s, when many in Québec  began to see themselves no longer as Canadiens français but as uniquely Québécois. Creating a positive national identity anchored by a common Francophone language, it invited immigrants to identify as Québécois without forcing assimilation. The Québec national movement resisted the pitfall of many nationalist movements: that threatening political times, nationalism is more likely to resort to resentment. By centering a secular, liberal-democratic society and fostering a sense of solidarity with other Francophone post-colonial countries, particularly in Africa, the national identity reinforced the idea of a unique culture that is not based on “blood.” 

The full article is available in Zeitschrift für Kanada-Studien. 

Post Date: 03-05-2026