Why Nationalism should be a dirty word, and Patriotism shouldn't be

[f4f3]

psychochicken  made an excellent point in comments on my last entry about some nationalism (not all) being sourced in "xenophobia, fear and hatred", and, in passing, how much he hates the word patriotism (a lot). He made me realise that my definitions of these two words are almost 70 years out of date, and that this might well trip me up when talking about them, which I probably will be (a lot).

For me, the distinction was best made by George Orwell, in his "Notes on Nationalism", published in 1945 (an article, by the way, which has as little truck with Celtic Nationalism as it does with Communism, Zionism, Catholicism or just about any other "ism").

I quote only because it's impossible to summarise Orwell without revealing how much better he is as a writer than I am...

"By ‘nationalism’ I mean first of all the habit of assuming that human beings can be classified like insects and that whole blocks of millions or tens of millions of people can be confidently labelled ‘good’ or ‘bad’(1). But secondly — and this is much more important — I mean the habit of identifying oneself with a single nation or other unit, placing it beyond good and evil and recognising no other duty than that of advancing its interests. Nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism. Both words are normally used in so vague a way that any definition is liable to be challenged, but one must draw a distinction between them, since two different and even opposing ideas are involved. 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."

I think the war of definition might have been lost over the past 70 years ("Patriotism is the last resort of the scoundrel" is such a wonderful sound-bite, for one thing) but I want to claim it back, since my nationalism (small n) is based on a pride of Scotland as part of the international community. The Scotsman on the make, in London, or America or India is a well known Scottish image but less well known are the thriving and integrated communities back here, of Irish, English, Sikh, Hindu, Jew, Pole  - those are as much my fellow nationalists as a guy in a kilt on the Royal Mile.

Comments

[gmh.livejournal.com]

As Orwell knew, Johnson's opinion was on a particular type of 'patriotism' used by politicians then and now; self-description as 'a patriot' in order to belittle political opponents.

I don't know that I can honestly call myself a patriot; my primary concern is with all of humanity and the welfare thereof. The rest is an accident of geography, birth and education.

(And to be perfectly honest, in the global society, I have as much or more in common with a liberal and intellectual French or American or Australian or German person than I do with the Daily Mail's readership.)

A sentence the Russell-Einstein Manifesto encapsulates my feelings neatly:

'...We appeal as human beings to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest.'

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Agreed, mostly, but those accidents of geography, birth and education remain important. Although, to be fair, if you have a neutral opinion of your nationality, I think that's far healthier than being overly enthusiastic about it.

I'm an internationalist by choice, and a Scot by accident. I think I can contain both.

[anthrokeight.livejournal.com]

God Orwell is brilliant.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Word.

[deililly.livejournal.com]

It is quite comforting thought to find myself sitting more easily in my scots identity than my british one. Your posts have underlined it nicely. Thank you!

[wiltinwickwitch.livejournal.com]

what excellent points!
thanks!
love and blessed be
xxx