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Is Nationalism Bad?
Many people certainly think so
“And … he’s a nationalist!”
I was having a conversation with a relative several years ago about a certain well-known political figure. We were discussing several objectionable aspects about this person’s character, and my relative then added: “And can you believe … he’s a nationalist?”
Her tone was a combination of astonishment and outrage.
How could anyone be a nationalist?
Since today is Flag Day, I thought I would revisit that conversation from years ago and put that question out here on Medium:
Is it wrong to be a nationalist?
First, it’s helpful to define our terms. After all, Socrates once said: “The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.”
So, what is nationalism?
The first definition that comes up via Merriam-Webster’s website is “loyalty and devotion to a nation.”
Okay. That doesn’t sound overly objectionable.
When I was in school, we said the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag every morning. In 1990, I joined the Virginia Army National Guard. I took an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the United States as part of my enlistment. I did the same years later when I briefly participated in the U.S. Army Reserves Chaplain Candidate program.
I see nothing objectionable about being loyal and devoted to one’s country.
The problem comes in when we look at the second part of Merriam-Webster’s definition: “a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups.”
Hmmm. You can start to see some dangers there.
There should be nothing objectionable with a people wanting to govern themselves (the root of the concept nationalism). But when a country seeks its own interests to the exclusion of and detriment of others, well…
Now, we start having some problems.
