Although nationalism emerged under the influence of classical liberal ideas, the new ideology conserved its collectivist character and soon became liberalism’s most successful opponent. Long before socialism’s rise to prominence on the political scene of the world, the nationalist ideology already succeeded in destroying the liberal order that was emerging during the XIXth century, setting the stage for increased government intervention in matters of internal affaires, on the one hand, war and imperialism in foreign affaires, on the other hand.