The Untrue Of Nationalism

Nationalism has been extremely important and influential in shaping the modern world we see today, causing revolutions, rebellions and the constant reshaping of world maps continuing even today. Its appeal is something that I don’t believe will diminish in the future. Many theologians and political commentators alike agree that Nationalism has perhaps been one of the most prominent political ideologies of the modern world “No single political doctrine has played a more prominent role in shaping the face of the modern world than nationalism” 1, and doesn’t look like ceasing to be as influential anytime

Nationalism inspires a pride within a group of people that ignites change and strengthens unity. It is what keeps heritages and cultures of nations alive. But what happens when the people advocating Nationalism are trapped within a nation in which they do not desire to be? The Pan-Slavic movement in Eastern Europe in the early 20th Century created a tension between Austria-Hungary and Serbia that culminated in

Nationalism has played a crucial role in world history over the past centuries. It continues to do so today. For many, nationalism is indelibly associated with some of the worst aspects of modern history, such as the destructive confidence of the Napoleon’s army and the murderous pride of Nazi Germany. Large numbers of people, descent in their hearts, have carried out unbelievable atrocities for no better reason than their nation required them to. Authoritarian and totalitarian regime have crushed dissent, eliminated opposition, and trampled on civil liberties in the name of the nation.

Nationalism is the act of one loving their country and believing that it is superior to all others. In turn this caused WWI because it was nationalism that caused the Black Hand to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand, also it caused citizens to think that they would surely win due to their superiority.

Nationalism is the patriotic view of one's nations and to think the nations and or nation state is superior to another. The source given shows a viewpoint of someone who is vary patriotic almost showing a form of ultranationalism. This viewpoint presents the idea that one's identity should solely be formed by the nation they are apart of. Nationalism is not what should shape your whole identity. Areas of concern related to nationalism shaping identity is the conflict that occurs and animosity between two nations, inadequate amount of learning from other nations and forming the idea that your identity isn't only shaping by where you come from.

The concerns and perspective the source expresses, I feel are appropriate and consistent with the consequences that nationalism has caused over the course of history. Nationalism is a concept that must be approached with great caution, because if it is unmanaged it may grow into ultranationalism; and consequently cause an uprise of feelings of racism, stereotyping, and hatred towards other nations. Oftentimes, governments will control how their citizens think and act by withholding some information and adding other, simultaneously, governments glorify the fallen soldiers in order to manipulate citizens into fighting wars.

The second chapter of the book, "The Plague of Nationalism," fits into the myth of war by telling the people of any country that it is o.k. to hate and it is o.k. to kill even though the cause might not be just. He states that: "Lurking beneath the surface of every society, including ours, is the passionate yearning for a nationalist cause that exalts us, the kind that war alone is able to deliver. We abandon individual responsibility for a shared, unquestioned communal enterprise, however morally dubious" (45). There is a myth within nationalism that it is right. However morally wrong the reasons of war are, the myth of nationalism brain washes us into thinking that we are right. We are doing this for the right reasons and therefore to support our military however morally dubious the cause is. Chris Hedges writes about a general who, "during a dispute with Chile, flew his helicopter over the Chilean border in order to piss on Chilean Soil" (42). Coming from the view of a person who wasn't involved on either aspect of the war, this sounds a bit over the edge. Chris Hedges talks about how nationalism and racism are almost directly related in war time. People do things they wouldn't normally do under the circumstances. War drives us to do things we wouldn't normally do, thus dominating a

Nationalism is the strong belief that the interests of a particular nation-state is of primary importance. It also is the belief that a people who share a common language, history, and culture should have an independent nation. Nationalism is shown in many ways throughout World War I, the Interwar Years, and World War II. It is shown in nationalists groups such as the KMT, through new ideas such as Nazism or Fascism, and during events that happen during wars and revolutions, such as the Salt March. Nationalism’s role is important in all of these wars and revolutions because without Nationalism, history would be very different.

This brings to light that not only does nationalism have to do with the nation, but it also has to do with divine right. Divine right is the idea that God has chosen deliberately for someone or something to rule over everything. The idea of divine right provides a sense of legitimacy for whoever, or in this case whatever, claims it. Additionally, If the nationalist nation feels as if they are under the power of God, they will be much more obliged to attack whoever opposes them. Especially if they feel that you are offending their God. Pride in one’s nation along with divine right is a definite cause of war because it causes anger and frustration.

In today’s day and age, Nationalism is an ideology that is highly controversial. Nationalism supports ideas such as allowing a nation to govern itself with as little foreign interference as possible and glorifying ones home country to name a few. Due to infamous leaders such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, Nationalism has been projected as a racist and shunning ideology that rejects any ideology that disagrees with the national “identity”. In this day and age, Nationalism can be a progressive and problem solving ideology if it is applied correct. Some big issues that stunt our society now that New Age Nationalism will solve is the division between our feuding society and the on-going racial and refugee issues that grow to politically dividing tensions. These are issues that, if continued, could

“Nationalists see patriotism as a virtue; they think their country and its culture is worth preserving” Haidt claims. In agreement with Haidt, there are some nationalists who believe their country is the country and the masses should be following in its footsteps. They react rudely to new opinions and ideals because they worship their own ideals so much that it is their life. But there are also other nationalists who feel just as strongly, but are civil about

Nationalism is a widely debated ideology that differs based on the historian’s definition. For example, Benedict Anderson attempts to define nationalism as "an imagined political community [that is] imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign"(Anderson, pg 6). Anderson also believes the main causes of nationalism can be

In “Imagined Communities,” Benedict Anderson raises a discussion on nationalism and the roots of its emergence in different cultural situations. Powerfully, Anderson states, “nationalism thinks in terms of historical destinies, while racism dreams of eternal contaminations, transmitted from the origins of time through an endless sequence of loathsome copulations: outside history,” relatable to the Vietnamese case of nationalism (Anderson, 148-9). The emergence of this patriotic sentiment can be attributed to ‘outside history,’ and the slow, but evident disintegration of a said cultural identity. ‘Outside history’ and the threatening presence of outside forces were all to easy to despise. With an obvious, discernible enemy, it was only

While nationalism can be a positive concept, there is a fine line between having pride in a patriotic sense and promoting violence for the purpose of creating a negative uprising. Negative nationalism, often a result of a

It’s debateable whether these initial actions were driven more by “real politick” then nationalism, one side trying to limit the other sides power and influence more then an expansion and imposition of a way of life. But in the end the justifications for actions began to take on the sound of nationalistic fervour whatever the original intent.