Watch: Why You Should Be a Nationalist
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
It’s undeniable: Around the world, nationalism is on the march, and the media and reigning political elites would have you believe this is a dangerous disaster in the making. So, why is Yoram Hazony, author of The Virtue of Nationalism, unafraid?
Transcript
Britain votes to leave the European Union. The United States elects a president who says he’ll put “America First.”
Around the world, nationalism is winning elections. Many see this nationalist revival as the great danger of our time, fearing that nationalism will take us back to a more primitive and racist past.
But it wasn’t long ago that great political figures such as Woodrow Wilson and Teddy Roosevelt, David Ben-Gurion and Mahatma Gandhi, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher recognized what I call the virtue of nationalism.
So, what is this virtue?
A nationalist believes that the world is governed best when nations are free to chart their own independent course, cultivating their traditions and pursuing their interests without interference. Nationalism is not about racism. All nations are internally diverse. And it isn’t about isolationism.
Of course, nations can a pursue a variety of different policies in diplomacy and trade. Nationalism is the opposite of imperialism—or globalism or transnationalism—which are all names for the attempt to bring peace and prosperity to the world by uniting mankind under a single political authority.
The debate between nationalists and globalists, then, is over whether we should aspire to a world of many independent nations—or to be one unified super-state, like the enlightened “Federation” of the Star Trek movies. A case can be made for both sides of the argument. But for the last 30 years—really, since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the end of the Soviet Union—the “one world“ side has been dominant.
Today, this is changing. Maybe not among elites, but among ordinary citizens—or, as they are known in America, “the deplorables.” It turns out that a lot of people still think good borders make good neighbors.
It’s hardly surprising that people want to preserve the way of life they and their ancestors built up over centuries, the way of life they believe is best. It’s human nature. Our strongest loyalties are to those who are closest to us: to our family; then the larger community or “tribe”, and finally, to the nation.
Long ago, it was discovered that the key to human freedom is to build political life out of this natural loyalty. By putting decision-making in the hands of the family, the community, and the independent nation, you could get people to cooperate with one another, join in the common defense and willingly obey laws. The only alternative to this kind of community and nation-based politics is to use force—to coerce obedience. In the 20 th century, communism and Nazism both sought to impose a universal vision at gunpoint. Both the communists and the Nazis were imperialists: They wanted to eliminate the independent nations of the world.
Nationalism holds that borders are crucial: The border is where each nation’s ambitions should stop. This idea first appears in the Bible, where Moses gives borders to Israel and tells the Jews they’ll be punished if they trouble their neighbors.
True to its biblical roots, the Protestant Reformation of the 16 th century made the independent nation-state the political cornerstone of the modern world. When Henry VIII declared that England would no longer obey dictates from Rome, he became Europe’s first true nationalist.
Soon, additional nations declared their independence: the Dutch from Spain, and America from Britain, to cite just two examples. The competition among these newly independent peoples led to an explosion of innovation, bringing unprecedented progress in science, industry and government.
For nearly four hundred years, the principle of national independence served as the foundation for a better, freer world. But World War I and World War II changed everything. Traumatized by these catastrophic conflicts, many now seek comfort in a simplistic narrative, ceaselessly repeated: that “nationalism caused two world wars and the Holocaust.” But this is one of the great untruths of our time. Adolph Hitler was no nationalist. He was an imperialist. If his ambitions had been limited to ruling Germans, it would have been terrible for Germany, but the French, the British, the Russians, and everyone else would have been spared a world war.
Sadly, European elites learned the wrong lesson, believing that independent nations are inherently dangerous. Better, they reasoned, that all countries should live under one government.
In 1992, this vision gave birth to the European Union. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher hated the idea. She didn’t want the bureaucrats in Brussels making decisions for Brits in Birmingham. But in the utopian 1990s, Britain thought it was better to dump Thatcher and go with Brussels. It’s the spirit of Margaret Thatcher and, indeed, of Henry VIII, that reasserted itself in Britain’s vote for independence from Europe in June 2016. Donald Trump tapped into the same spirit of nationalism five months later, in November 2016.
Nationalism is making a comeback. If you care about freedom, you should hope it succeeds.
I’m Yoram Hazony, author of The Virtue of Nationalism , for Prager University.
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“Today, this is changing. Maybe not among elites, but among ordinary citizens—or, as they are known in America, “the deplorables.” It turns out that a lot of people still think good borders make good neighbors.
It’s hardly surprising that people want to preserve the way of life they and their ancestors built up over centuries, the way of life they believe is best. It’s human nature. Our strongest loyalties are to those who are closest to us: to our family; then the larger community or “tribe”, and finally, to the nation.
Long ago, it was discovered that the key to human freedom is to build political life out of this natural loyalty. By putting decision-making in the hands of the family, the community, and the independent nation, you could get people to cooperate with one another, join in the common defense and willingly obey laws. The only alternative to this kind of community and nation-based politics is to use force—to coerce obedience. In the 20th century, communism and Nazism both sought to impose a universal vision at gunpoint. Both the communists and the Nazis were imperialists: They wanted to eliminate the independent nations of the world.
Nationalism holds that borders are crucial: The border is where each nation’s ambitions should stop. This idea first appears in the Bible, where Moses gives borders to Israel and tells the Jews they’ll be punished if they trouble their neighbors.
True to its biblical roots, the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century made the independent nation-state the political cornerstone of the modern world. When Henry VIII declared that England would no longer obey dictates from Rome, he became Europe’s first true nationalist.”
Totally false and the seeded article shows that our nationalism is exactly the opposite of the national socialism which you linked to above.
Be a proud nationalist, which hasn't thrown off the taint of the fascism of the mid 20th century. Just don't be shocked when you are linked to the racism of the neo-nazi's and white supremacists today. Because they call themselves nationalists too. We haven't forgotten, even if you want to.
True. Sadly, some people are that stupid and fail to grasp the not-very-subtle difference between Fascism and ordinary nationalism. That, or they are deliberately obtuse because of politics. Either way, it can make having a real discussion about policy very difficult.
Both strains of socialism, communism and fascism were not nationalist but imperialist, trying to usurp the nationalist independence of many nations in their way.
Enough of your crap trying to pretend nationalism is good and fascism is some liberal left wing thing. You can call yourself whatever the hell you want, you CANNOT redefine nationalism to omit what it was during WWII and the Holocaust. Nationalism is not separated from its recent historical past yet, and you can't make it happen just because you want. Even a simple definition of nationalism is nothing brag about.
True nationalism equals genuine patriotism.
They are not us! The bottom line.
In case you did not know, Nazi is short for Nationalist. Any other questions?
Not quite. It's short for "National Socialist." And In case you did not know, there are many, many varieties of nationalism. The very concept of a nation-state is nationalist. Any country is - at some level - nationalist.
Well said. Progressives like to leave the S word out of the description of that fascist regime.
Many words, symbols, and practices need to be taken back from the tyrants of history. It used to be you could name a kid "Adolf." Not anymore. And tiny mustaches used to be all the rage.
Why should you be a Nationalist?
Very simply, because if you like your lifestyle, you don't want to lose it. By being a Globalist, you are essentially telling people either your lifestyle and money is too much or too powerful for someone else to take from you by force or by subtlety. But, everyone needs to remember that no matter your wealth or lifestyle, someone else can always come in and take it from you.
Thus the need to put America first. We are an exceptional nation made up of exceptional people from all over the world and we need to protect what we Americans have achieved.
BUTT the 'reigning political elites' in the US are neo-nationalists Republicans and have been for almost 2 years. They haven't said a damn thing about 'this is a dangerous disaster in the making'. They're all in...
The globalist establishment of the GOP still has way too much power in the party.
Oh PLEASE! If you didn't have the 'globalists' or the 'deep state' to blame for how bad Trump sucks, where would you be?
Trump is doing a good job. It’s his UnAmerican disloyal opposition that sucks, not him.
You should read Mattis' resignation letter, listen to what they're all saying about Trump giving up in Syria, and what they're saying about him reneging on signing the CR.
That's all in ONE day...
Ya, Trump is GREAT! /s
He will sign the one passed by the House.
Only if McConnell actually returns the Senate back to their original rules from 1790 and has a simple majority vote on the bill. Otherwise, the Democrats will kill it by filibuster as they march to Chuck Schumer's drumbeat.
Better make sure it gets through the senate first.
Well gee Xx, that would be relevant if that was how this shit worked. It isn't.
Then the government will be shut down until the house and senate can jointly pass a bill the president will sign. Right now both houses passed a bill and the government is shut down partially only due to the Schumer shutdown filibuster.
Wait WHAT?
Trump said:
I will shut it down
I will be PROUD to shut it down
I will take the mantel and I won't blame you.
Pence told McConnell that Trump would sign the bill so McConnell brought it to the floor that was passed with a voice vote, in short, unanimously.
Then Trump reneged after listening to the neo-nationalists on TV and talk radio.
Then the House passed a bill that they KNEW would NOT pass the Senate, in short, a SAFE irrelevant vote.
Yet YOU blame it on Schumer and Trump, predictably, fails to take responsibility, as he promised that he would, and blames Democrats.
The fact remains that the house passed a bill with the wall money. The senate got a majority to support the house bill with the Vice President tie breaker. It is only the senate filibuster that is closing the government now. A senate minority is the cause of the shutdown plain and simple.
There isn't a 'tie breaker' for passing a BILL in the Senate. Anyone who has watched Schoolhouse Rock knows that...
As it has with EVERY government shut down.
Only those who insist on ignoring the clear statements by Trump believe that this issue is 'plain and simple'.
Then how is it that when the government shutdown during Obama because he would not sign a budget that was missing a part he wanted, it was the Republicans minority that wasfault. Now that the rolls are reversed it is still, according to the left, the Republicans fault. How convienuent for you.
Tell us Dulay how does Obama not signing a spending bill unless it had what he wanted in it differ from Trump.
Please enlighten us with your vast knowledge.
Sometimes it depends on what the funding is for. Do you have a link of the incident with Obama.
I forgot that the left blamed Republicans. Any facts wouldn't change your mind.
Perhaps you should review the comment your are replying to. WE were talking about the filibuster, NOT the minority. DO try to keep up...
Since you brought up that straw man, why don't YOU explain it...
That's what I thought....
Then why bring up the straw man?
Um, still a republican congress.... Your suggestion that ONE person is what is causing the partial shutdown is flat out dishonest...
Why ?
I think Trumpp is clearly to blame
And you would be wrong.
Again!
ask him yourself
he stated as much
he said HE would own it right there live on tv to ole Chucky Schumer
.
r u going to dispute Your POTUS ?
It is Schumer and his minority democrats in the senate alone that is responsible for the present shutdown. No one else bears any responsibility.
That is the liberal way...
You get ONE guess who said this:
And this:
The bottom line is that the house passed a bill the president would sign and so would the senate if not for Chucky dolls filibuster. Now Trump is saying what I said over the weekend, that the 25% shutdown will last until there is some reasonable funding for the border wall.
That's YOUR bottom line.
Ironically, even Trump knows how the Senate works. You should listen to him.
Again, ironically, only a fraction of the 1.6 billion from the last budget was spent as of the end of September. They said that they'd get at least 800,000 million spent by Oct. 1. It looks like 'reasonable funding' would be LESS, not more since Trump can't even figure out how to spend what he ALREADY HAS.
The partial shutdown will last as long as it takes to get some funding for the wall or until the end of the FY on September 30, 2019. Whichever comes first.
Well that will definitely make Trump a historical figure.
Of course, the Congress may burst your bubble and DO THEIR JOB...
I see the Russian Federation's FSB is still busy with fake crap, fear crap and Lil' Kim loves Trump crap.
As far as nationalist? Hell yeah, build the friggen wall. Every Trump voter send the Trump $80 for the first installment. Then prepare to ante up for the next 500 installments. Gawd, what a bunch of rubes. Besides, I though Mexico was going to pay for it. Trumpers really that dumb?
no s/ here
Build that wall.