As the 19th century progressed, Europe's innovations, norms and categories came to achieve a truly universal hegemony.

The idea that modernisation makes for enhanced national power and rapid progress and helps everyone achieve greater happiness has its origins in the astonishing political, economic and military successes of western Europe in the 19th century.

As in the early 20th century, the elemental forces of globalisation have unravelled broad solidarities and loyalties.

German writers in the late 18th century were the first to uphold a prickly, literary nationalism, in reaction to the then dominance and prestige of French literature.

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,/ Lead thou me on;/ The night is dark, and I am far from home,/ Lead thou me on.

And with the morn those angel faces smile/ Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.