Johann Gottfried von Herder was a key figure in cultural nationalism, advocating for the unique cultural character of nations. His work emphasized the importance of language and traditions in shaping national identity and opposed imperialism.

He rejected the rational beliefs of liberal forms of nationalism, focusing instead on nations as cultural, organic groups invested with their own unique 'spirit'. Herder suggested that every nation was different, and that each had its own unique character and identity that it should pursue and enhance.

Herder believed that nations created natural borders as opposed to the fabricated borders which states established regardless of which nations they contained. Therefore, Herder was not a nationalist in the contemporary sense, but a cultural nationalist.

Herder is associated with culturalism, rejecting rational forms of nationalism. Instead, he suggested that each nation is different in essence, and this is revealed through distinct culture, customs, languages, folklore and shared history. People should be encouraged to understand the distinctive qualities of their nation.