Thought-Provoker: the perils of unbridled nationalism

Nationalists are those who are strongly supportive of their nation's identity---culture, values, economy, traditions and past-times etc. They also derive a sense of national pride from their country's perceived achievements against others---sporting and military, for example. In fact they revel in these aspects of perceived superiority.

For nationalists, their personal sense of identity, self-esteem and perceptions of a meaningful existence are inextricably linked with their nationalist views. Unsurprisingly then, a challenge to a persons sense of nationalism is highly threatening as it directly impacts self-esteem, sense of identity, and meaningful existence.

Nationalism though exists on a continuum. Some nationalism is advantageous because it might bring people together and facilitate cooperation during times of crisis. Extreme or ultra nationalism on the other-hand, is seldom helpful, and at times, is downright dangerous.

Nationalists proclaim that it's moral and appropriate to put the interests of their country first. But there are potentially serious implications associated with this, especially when nationalism is extreme.

Extreme nationalists are much more likely to advocate for closed borders to protect values and economic interests. That is, extreme nationalists don't want to entertain alternate cultural values and customs, because they perceive them as contaminating their cultural purity; and they don't want migrants potentially benefiting from their culture either. This of course reduces beneficial inter-cultural exchange.

Nationalists generally, because of increased perceptions of outsider threat, are more likely to focus on addressing the over-hyped terrorism threat than solving home-country problems, such as homelessness and suicide. That is to say, their priorities are distorted and misplaced.

Extreme nationalists are ethnocentric, racist, and make use of stereotypes that fit their myopic and canalized view of the world. They are more likely to use jingoistic language and actually advocate going to war in an attempt to protect their nation's interests. And pity the person from their own country who dares to challenge the nationalist by drawing attention to problematic aspects of the home culture. They'll quickly see defensiveness, deflection, and hostility directed toward them.

Certainly nationalism is not all that it's cracked up to be. It distorts and biases thinking, and extreme nationalists tend to respond emotively and aggressively to perceived threat. By very definition, nationalism reduces the capacity to think and respond rationally.

Because nationalism reduces the capacity to think critically about one's country, let alone generate enough insight or motivation to advocate for key social changes aimed at correcting societal ills, the political ruling elite is invested in fostering nationalism (and patriotism: generally a more benign form of national identification) among its citizens. This then is yet another way that governments seek to control their citizenry and ensure conformist attitudes and behavior.