There are many "theories of nationalism." At the core of  this ideology, however, is the idea that it is important for people to be willing to "die for their country." This is the essence of Carolyn Marvin's theory of nationalism based on her case study of the United States in the latter part of the 20th Century. The thinking of Hitler and Goebbels confirm her theory: they recognized that in order for Germany to become a true nation or collective, the German people had to die or sacrifice their lives.