Thread: Nationalist

What is with this new and constant use of the word "Nationalist" here? Somehow we are trying to make being proud of your country bad? Promoting your own countries interests as bad? I think people are trying to make nationalism a bad thing and it is not.

Originally Posted by justoneman

What is with this new and constant use of the word "Nationalist" here? Somehow we are trying to make being proud of your country bad? Promoting your own countries interests as bad? I think people are trying to make nationalism a bad thing and it is not.

For those who only see the bad in the US and ignore the good, nationalism is bad.

I am really baffled at times by the obvious prejudice a few of the left have when it comes to looking at the US through glasses that filter out all the good.

Do they not realize that the roots of these ideas goes back to the days of the communist parties influence on the left? That the whole purpose of this ideaology is to destroy the US so the communists can take power. And now, practically, there aren't even any of the original communists left to take over.

I would agree that if you want to change america for the better you need to recognize its faults. But seeing only the faults is not going to accomplish anything.

Originally Posted by justoneman

What is with this new and constant use of the word "Nationalist" here? Somehow we are trying to make being proud of your country bad? Promoting your own countries interests as bad? I think people are trying to make nationalism a bad thing and it is not.

I think it's a combination of Nationalism and Militarism that's the problem.

When Nationalism is combined with throwing one's weight about in Militaristic style, then a country is going down a slippery slope toward something intensely dark and disturbing.

There's NOTHING wrong with being proud of one's country....but I don't think that in order to be proud of one's country, one has to ram it down peoples' necks and wave the flag at EVERY possible opportunity....and also arrogantly suggest that THEIR country is BETTER than ANY other country.

The saying goes, that you don't have to polish a diamond....so there's really no need for all of the chest-beating and flag waving.

The chest-beaters and the flag wavers, I mean, WHAT are they trying to PROVE and WHOM do they THINK they're fooling?

Here is an interesting little article.

Apparently the French hate themselves more than we hate them.

FOXNews.com - French Snobbery Directed at ... the French - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment

Perhaps we should differentiate between patriotism and nationalism.

From the Oxford English Dictionaries

patriot, n. One who defends, or is zealous for, his country's freedom or rights.

From the Wikipedia

nationalism n. In the broadest sense, is a devotion to one's own nation, and its interests, over all other nations.

Extreme forms of nationalism hold that nationality is the most important aspect of one's identity and attempt to define the nation in terms of "race" or genetics.

Patriotism can be corrupted into a force for evil, but in general, may be regarded as a neutral sentiment. Your zeal for your country's rights need not affect me.

Nationalism however, is much more susceptible to corruption, and can easily lead to the view that those of other nationalities are inherently inferior, and therefore their wellbeing is of little consequence. It is an extension of primitive tribalism. It is troublesome in the reactions it provokes, and in opposition to true civilisation.

Originally Posted by justoneman

What is with this new and constant use of the word "Nationalist" here? Somehow we are trying to make being proud of your country bad? Promoting your own countries interests as bad? I think people are trying to make nationalism a bad thing and it is not.

I don't see all forms of Nationalism "bad", but rather outdated. In the context of the world, Nationalism has become obsolete, amidst inevitable globalization. Take the EU for example, eschewing Nationalism has given way to increasing political harmony in Europe, as well as economic cooperation.

Originally Posted by Bluegrass

I don't see all forms of Nationalism "bad", but rather outdated. In the context of the world, Nationalism has become obsolete, amidst inevitable globalization. Take the EU for example, eschewing Nationalism has given way to increasing political harmony in Europe, as well as economic cooperation.

thanks now I understand the left opinion better. You think Nationalism used to be good but now it is bad.

Originally Posted by Leo

Perhaps we should differentiate between patriotism and nationalism.

From the Oxford English Dictionaries

patriot, n. One who defends, or is zealous for, his country's freedom or rights.

From the Wikipedia

nationalism n. In the broadest sense, is a devotion to one's own nation, and its interests, over all other nations.

Extreme forms of nationalism hold that nationality is the most important aspect of one's identity and attempt to define the nation in terms of "race" or genetics.

Patriotism can be corrupted into a force for evil, but in general, may be regarded as a neutral sentiment. Your zeal for your country's rights need not affect me.

Nationalism however, is much more susceptible to corruption, and can easily lead to the view that those of other nationalities are inherently inferior, and therefore their wellbeing is of little consequence. It is an extension of primitive tribalism. It is troublesome in the reactions it provokes, and in opposition to true civilisation.

True, hence the "nation state".

Originally Posted by justoneman

thanks now I understand the left opinion better. You think Nationalism used to be good but now it is bad.

I am not "left", "right" or anything else you want to label me. I am speaking fact. It's up to you to accept the FACT the nationalism is dying across the globe.

Originally Posted by Leo

From the Wikipedia

nationalism n. In the broadest sense, is a devotion to one's own nation, and its interests, over all other nations.

Extreme forms of nationalism hold that nationality is the most important aspect of one's identity and attempt to define the nation in terms of "race" or genetics.

Patriotism can be corrupted into a force for evil, but in general, may be regarded as a neutral sentiment. Your zeal for your country's rights need not affect me.

Nationalism however, is much more susceptible to corruption, and can easily lead to the view that those of other nationalities are inherently inferior, and therefore their wellbeing is of little consequence. It is an extension of primitive tribalism. It is troublesome in the reactions it provokes, and in opposition to true civilisation.

With that definition, I think nationalism is bad