Nationalism
A political ideology holding that the nation is the central unit of human social life and that national interests should be prioritized in governance and policy. Nationalism ranges from civic pride to ethno-cultural exclusion.
Arguments for and against
Democratic sovereignty and self-determination
National self-determination gives distinct peoples the right to govern themselves according to their own values and priorities, countering domination by external powers or supranational institutions with weak democratic accountability.
In ethnically diverse states, nationalist politics inevitably involves defining who belongs to the nation, marginalizing minorities whose identity does not match the dominant group's self-conception.
Social solidarity and the welfare state
A shared national identity provides the in-group solidarity that sustains redistributive welfare institutions; citizens are more willing to pay taxes to support compatriots with whom they feel a genuine sense of common identity.
Nationalist solidarity tends to exclude rather than expand over time, directing welfare and social protection toward defined in-group members while producing hostility toward immigrants, minorities, and international obligations.
Cultural preservation vs. cosmopolitanism
Distinct national cultures — languages, artistic traditions, legal inheritances — are valuable human achievements worth preserving against homogenizing forces of global commerce and cultural convergence.
Cultural nationalism often shades into enforced conformity, suppressing internal diversity, regional identities, and the cross-cultural exchange that has historically driven most major artistic and intellectual developments.
International conflict and cooperation
States that are secure in their national identity are often more confident partners in international institutions, as they do not perceive multilateral cooperation as an existential threat to their distinctiveness.
Competitive nationalisms with incompatible territorial, ethnic, or historical claims have been primary drivers of the twentieth century's most catastrophic conflicts, and remain live sources of geopolitical tension today.
What influencers say
"It is quite possible to be both. I look upon myself as a man. Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind."
"We are inclined to overemphasize the material influences in history. The Russians especially make this mistake. Intellectual values and ethnic influences, tradition and emotional factors are equally important. If this were not the case, Europe would today be a federated state, not a madhouse of nationalism."
"As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?"
"There are at the present time two great nations in the world—allude to the Russians and the Americans— All other nations seem to have nearly reached their national limits, and have only to maintain their power; these alone are proceeding—along a path to which no limit can be perceived."
"When we have undermined the patriotic lie, we shall have cleared the path for that great structure wherein all nationalities shall be united into a universal brotherhood, — a truly FREE SOCIETY."
"the jingoes and war speculators are filling the air with the sentimental slogan of hypocritical nationalism, "America for Americans," "America first, last, and all the time.""
"All that had thus far counted as limit, as measuring determination, proved itself here but artificial"
"In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule."
"One cannot see the modern world as it is unless one recognizes the overwhelming strength of patriotism, national loyalty. In certain circumstances it can break down, at certain levels of civilization it does not exist, but as a positive force there is nothing to set beside it. Christianity and international Socialism are as weak as straw in comparison with it. Hitler and Mussolini rose to power in their own countries very largely because they could grasp this fact and their opponents could not."
"England is the most class-ridden country under the sun. It is a land of snobbery and privilege, ruled largely by the old and silly. But in any calculation about it one has got to take into account its emotional unity, the tendency of nearly all its inhabitants to feel alike and act together in moments of supreme crisis. It is the only great country in Europe that is not obliged to drive hundreds of thousands of its nationals into exile or the concentration camps."
"We know what we want to do as a Conservative Party. There are two ways to run a country. One is towards Socialist Marxism and the other is to a free society . The more you have nationalisation and the more the State takes choice away from the people, the further you are going to the total Socialist Marxist society. The more you do that, the more you relinquish your freedom and income to the State."
"Detente sounds a fine word. And, to the extent that there really has been a relaxation in international tension, it is a fine thing. But the fact remains that throughout this decade of detente, the armed forces of the Soviet Union have increased, are increasing, and show no signs of diminishing."
"The modern patriotism, the true patriotism, the only rational patriotism, is loyalty to the Nation all the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it."
"As a woman I have no country. As a woman I want no country. As a woman my country is the whole world."
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."