Big Ideas That Changed the World

Tuesday 1 st May at 7.15pm, Five

In the last of the current series of Big Ideas that Changed the World, MP and former home secretary David Blunkett examines the history of nationalism and its impact on British national identity today.

He also relates his own personal journey. As a young man he viewed nationalism as dangerous and racist, but today he 's come to believe nationalism, and a firm sense of national identity, are vital for us to survive in our modern, insecure and ever changing world.

British national identity is something many people today feel strongly about. Who are we, what are our values, who should j oin our nation? These questions lie behind many of the big political topics of today: immigration, asylum and racism.

But the idea that lies behind them, nationalism, is relatively new. In the programme, Blunkett traces its roots in the French revolution and German romanticism in the 18th century and relates it to today's modern nation state.

The film also follows him to a citizenship class in a local school and to a citizenship ceremony, where he talks to the children and the new British citizens about their views on British national identity.

Setting out his vision for a revived British and English nationalism which is modern and inclusive, Blunkett argues that those who want to join our country must also sign up to our values and way of life before they can become British citizens.