In most contexts today, nationalism is “the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one’s own nation viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or the common interests of all nations.” In short, nationalism is a kind of excessive, aggressive patriotism. Modernnationalismis rooted, in part, in French and American revolutions that fought for the sovereignty of their people over monarchies. This historic nationalismis generally viewed favourably, a cornerstone of Western liberalism and democracy. However, fascist regimes have merged the fervor of nationalism with the notions of superiority, especially when it comes to ethnicity and religion. In such contexts, “patriots” can become those who happened to agree with you or look like you, and “traitors” those who do not.
Patriotism Part 6
