Nationalism. A Very Serious Problem No One Is Attending To

Especially on All Sides of Its ‘Leadership'

For me what is the best mix of nationalism and patriotism. None of us can escape being partly both?

From Notes on Nationalism by George Orwell

Is being pro EU, yet another form of nationalism. And being pro Brexit, patriotism? And then what about being one of the United States - Is being pro US patriotism or nationalism? And how about Islam - is it nationalistic or patriotic? Further still, what about Ireland, Scotland and Wales? And of course, Israel, Palestine and antisemitism? Is climate change fanaticism a form of Nationalism? Are the English working class - now clearly led by Tommy Robinson, a mix of nationalism and patriotism and how will that sensitive combination play out? Is post Soviet Russia still overtly nationalist and is Ukraine a patriotic state?

One has to define the clear difference between the two quasi-religions:

"By ‘patriotism’ I mean devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force on other people. Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally."

"Nationalism, on the other hand, is inseparable from the desire for power. The abiding purpose of every nationalist is to secure more power and more prestige, not for himself but for the nation or other unit in which he has chosen to sink his own individuality."

So, is one better than the other. Are both bad. Are both good. Are they both a false dichotomy while a better alternative is being avoided by so called leadership? Are the people of the world, nationalists or patriots, unable to elect good leaders?

For me what is the best mix of nationalism and patriotism. None of us can escape being partly both.

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