Give a brief definition of nationalism according to Eric Hobsbawm

Eric Hobsbawm defines nationalism as politial and ideological construction. Indeed, in his famous work The Invention of Traditions, the author shows the recent side of nationalism: the concept emerges in the 19th century and is based on 'invented traditions'. Hobsbawm argues that politicians created such a nationalist feeling in order to legitimise their policies and create political stability. 

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