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The Case for Siamanto and Other Forward-Thinking Armenians or Why Ultra-nationalism Will Ultimately Lead to the Downfall of Independent Armenia
Introduction
The events that have transpired over the past three days (primarily the night of June 30, 2008) have jarred the very foundation of the hyeclub.com forum. I have examined closely what was said by different people and I have come to the conclusion that the ideology of certain members on this forum necessarily leads to philosophical and psychological destruction of an individual and eventually a nation. What is this ideology? Ultranationalism.
What is Ultra-nationalism?
Ultra-nationalism is a radical form of nationalism – it is love for country taken to the extreme. It is characterized by an over-obsessive preoccupation with everything that is of that country. The MSN Encarta Dictionary defines ultra-nationalism as “nationalism that is so extreme as to be detrimental to international interests or cooperation”. I will amend this definition to include “to be detrimental to national interests” as well.
After careful observation of certain members on this forum, I have identified certain philosophical and psychological traits that all ultra-nationalists have in common.
Philosophical Insights
1. A sense of moral superiority or authority
a. An ultranationalist’s primary role is as moralizer; s/he claims the moral high ground and chastises others for their “sins”.
b. An ultranationalist believes equates the “interests of the nation” (whatever this means to the ultranationalist at the time) with rationality and morality.
2. A fixation on ethnicity and race
a. An ultranationalist is preoccupied with keeping the nation “monoracial” and “monoethnic”. An ultranationalist does not recognize that race and ethnicity are social constructs.
b. An ultranationalist is unwilling to accept members outside the ethnic group as “true” members of the nation. S/he feels s/he is of superior “stock” and “breeding” to the mulatto or foreigner.
c. An ultranationalist fixated on racial purity may express this through narcissistic and egomaniacal tendencies.
3. Rigidity of thought
a. An ultranationalist is “closed minded”. S/he is unwilling to consider other opinions – even those that differ only slightly.
b. An ultranationalist can use verbal and physical intimidation to “correct” the other person’s worldview.
c. A sense of moral authority combined with this rigidity of thought is what leads the ultranationalist to suggest the invasion of other countries without considering the long-term effects of geo-political isolation. Consider the situation in Javakh – separatists do not understand that if they separate from Georgia, Armenia will be cut off from Europe. Iran will have Armenia by the balls. In this sense an ultranationalist does not concern him/herself with what is practical but only with what they consider as moral.
Psychological Insights
1. Insecurity about their own Armenian-ness
a. An ultranationalist overcompensates for a perceived lack of “Armenian-ness” by imposing extreme nationalism on others.
b. This insecurity is usually subconscious and thus an ultranationalist will be the first to deny his/her insecurity.
2. Us vs. Them mentality
a. An ultranationalist divides the world into “us” and them” meaning “nationalist” and “non-nationalist”, with the nationalist being moral and the non-nationalist being immoral.
b. Furthermore, an ultranationalist may even go to the extent of dividing the world into “Armenian” and “Odar”, with the Armenian being moral, and the Odar being immoral. As Siamanto pointed out in another thread, this division can be extended to “East vs. West”, “Ramgavar vs. Tashnag”, “Democrat vs. Republican”, and “Diasporan vs. Native”. The “beauty” of this mentality is that you can divide people by any trait.
c. This mentality creates what is called “the Other”. “The Other” is an academic term that is applied when one group who excludes another they consider to be different in some way or another. It is thus easier for the group to belittle, berate and dehumanize “the Other”.
3. Unhealthy obsession with everything Armenian
a. There is nothing wrong with a healthy infatuation with Armenian language, culture and country but the ultra-nationalist takes it to another level – to the point of equating non-Armenian with “non-importance”.
b. An ultra-nationalist will thus exhibit overtones of xenophobia.
Who does this type of ideology attract? Usually it attracts Diasporans who have never had a sense of direction or a grounded morality. The fact that they are diasporans allows them to romanticize the homeland while the fact that they have never had a sense of morality allows them to take this morality to the extreme.
Is Ultra-nationalism Detrimental to the Homeland?
Although some people on this forum may claim that I am “anti-Armenia” or whatever I think that the ultra-nationalist is more “anti-Armenia” than anyone else, although s/he may not know it. There is nothing wrong with a healthy dose of nationalism and love for country – especially in times of war when this type of extremism is needed if you are to die for your country – but we must not let this obscure a true picture of the obstacles the homeland faces.
Just look at some of the people on this forum who criticize others for criticizing the administration of Armenia. This is equivalent to far-Right Americans who claim it is unpatriotic to disagree with President Bush – because he is President. Instead of looking critically at the problems we face of the people, they appeal to the people’s patriotism to obscure the problems of the nation. It puts blinders on a people and will eventually lead to its downfall.
Ultranationalism is also detrimental to the homeland in that it alienates its Diaspora – claiming that they are not Armenian and never will be. Although a Diasporan who is unconcerned with his ancestral culture, heritage and language is of no concern to the homeland, there is no reason to alienate diasporans who are even if those diasporans are not “100%” (remember, ethnicity is a social construct!) Armenian. It is important to foster a love for culture, religion and language in these individuals as they may decide to take an extended stay in Armenia in the future. Teach and nurture, don’t seek and destroy!
Armenia is not solely about the nation – it is also about music, art and culture. Armenia is not solely about politics – it also about language, religion and cuisine. Armenia is not solely about war and geopolitical strategy – it also about family and interpersonal relationships.
It is about all of these things.
It is about none of these things.
Once the ultranationalist groups and parties realize this, Armenia and the Diaspora will be better off.
Introduction
The events that have transpired over the past three days (primarily the night of June 30, 2008) have jarred the very foundation of the hyeclub.com forum. I have examined closely what was said by different people and I have come to the conclusion that the ideology of certain members on this forum necessarily leads to philosophical and psychological destruction of an individual and eventually a nation. What is this ideology? Ultranationalism.
What is Ultra-nationalism?
Ultra-nationalism is a radical form of nationalism – it is love for country taken to the extreme. It is characterized by an over-obsessive preoccupation with everything that is of that country. The MSN Encarta Dictionary defines ultra-nationalism as “nationalism that is so extreme as to be detrimental to international interests or cooperation”. I will amend this definition to include “to be detrimental to national interests” as well.
After careful observation of certain members on this forum, I have identified certain philosophical and psychological traits that all ultra-nationalists have in common.
Philosophical Insights
1. A sense of moral superiority or authority
a. An ultranationalist’s primary role is as moralizer; s/he claims the moral high ground and chastises others for their “sins”.
b. An ultranationalist believes equates the “interests of the nation” (whatever this means to the ultranationalist at the time) with rationality and morality.
2. A fixation on ethnicity and race
a. An ultranationalist is preoccupied with keeping the nation “monoracial” and “monoethnic”. An ultranationalist does not recognize that race and ethnicity are social constructs.
b. An ultranationalist is unwilling to accept members outside the ethnic group as “true” members of the nation. S/he feels s/he is of superior “stock” and “breeding” to the mulatto or foreigner.
c. An ultranationalist fixated on racial purity may express this through narcissistic and egomaniacal tendencies.
3. Rigidity of thought
a. An ultranationalist is “closed minded”. S/he is unwilling to consider other opinions – even those that differ only slightly.
b. An ultranationalist can use verbal and physical intimidation to “correct” the other person’s worldview.
c. A sense of moral authority combined with this rigidity of thought is what leads the ultranationalist to suggest the invasion of other countries without considering the long-term effects of geo-political isolation. Consider the situation in Javakh – separatists do not understand that if they separate from Georgia, Armenia will be cut off from Europe. Iran will have Armenia by the balls. In this sense an ultranationalist does not concern him/herself with what is practical but only with what they consider as moral.
Psychological Insights
1. Insecurity about their own Armenian-ness
a. An ultranationalist overcompensates for a perceived lack of “Armenian-ness” by imposing extreme nationalism on others.
b. This insecurity is usually subconscious and thus an ultranationalist will be the first to deny his/her insecurity.
2. Us vs. Them mentality
a. An ultranationalist divides the world into “us” and them” meaning “nationalist” and “non-nationalist”, with the nationalist being moral and the non-nationalist being immoral.
b. Furthermore, an ultranationalist may even go to the extent of dividing the world into “Armenian” and “Odar”, with the Armenian being moral, and the Odar being immoral. As Siamanto pointed out in another thread, this division can be extended to “East vs. West”, “Ramgavar vs. Tashnag”, “Democrat vs. Republican”, and “Diasporan vs. Native”. The “beauty” of this mentality is that you can divide people by any trait.
c. This mentality creates what is called “the Other”. “The Other” is an academic term that is applied when one group who excludes another they consider to be different in some way or another. It is thus easier for the group to belittle, berate and dehumanize “the Other”.
3. Unhealthy obsession with everything Armenian
a. There is nothing wrong with a healthy infatuation with Armenian language, culture and country but the ultra-nationalist takes it to another level – to the point of equating non-Armenian with “non-importance”.
b. An ultra-nationalist will thus exhibit overtones of xenophobia.
Who does this type of ideology attract? Usually it attracts Diasporans who have never had a sense of direction or a grounded morality. The fact that they are diasporans allows them to romanticize the homeland while the fact that they have never had a sense of morality allows them to take this morality to the extreme.
Is Ultra-nationalism Detrimental to the Homeland?
Although some people on this forum may claim that I am “anti-Armenia” or whatever I think that the ultra-nationalist is more “anti-Armenia” than anyone else, although s/he may not know it. There is nothing wrong with a healthy dose of nationalism and love for country – especially in times of war when this type of extremism is needed if you are to die for your country – but we must not let this obscure a true picture of the obstacles the homeland faces.
Just look at some of the people on this forum who criticize others for criticizing the administration of Armenia. This is equivalent to far-Right Americans who claim it is unpatriotic to disagree with President Bush – because he is President. Instead of looking critically at the problems we face of the people, they appeal to the people’s patriotism to obscure the problems of the nation. It puts blinders on a people and will eventually lead to its downfall.
Ultranationalism is also detrimental to the homeland in that it alienates its Diaspora – claiming that they are not Armenian and never will be. Although a Diasporan who is unconcerned with his ancestral culture, heritage and language is of no concern to the homeland, there is no reason to alienate diasporans who are even if those diasporans are not “100%” (remember, ethnicity is a social construct!) Armenian. It is important to foster a love for culture, religion and language in these individuals as they may decide to take an extended stay in Armenia in the future. Teach and nurture, don’t seek and destroy!
Armenia is not solely about the nation – it is also about music, art and culture. Armenia is not solely about politics – it also about language, religion and cuisine. Armenia is not solely about war and geopolitical strategy – it also about family and interpersonal relationships.
It is about all of these things.
It is about none of these things.
Once the ultranationalist groups and parties realize this, Armenia and the Diaspora will be better off.
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