Nationalism

[Flora Korkis]

I've seen the term being misunderstood. Nationalism, at its heart, is a feeling of pride in one's nation. What's so shameful about that? It only gets shameful when it goes to the level of supremacy. I don't understand why you guys would see nationalism as something deviant?

As a nationalist myself, it got me a bit curious.

[imported_crusader1492]

I've seen the term being misunderstood. Nationalism, at its heart, is a feeling of pride in one's nation. What's so shameful about that? It only gets shameful when it goes to the level of supremacy. I don't understand why you guys would see nationalism as something deviant?

As a nationalist myself, it got me a bit curious.

I agree with your grounded assessment of Nationalism. Btw, what nation do you ascribe your nationalist feelings toward? Canada?

[Flora Korkis]

In my heart there are a few nations that I hold dearly due to my family's mixed history, but my strongest nationalist feelings would have to lie within Canada. Canada is a place that just keeps giving and giving, and the freedom is so strong, it's hard for me to imagine myself being anywhere else.

[1.5 million]

Flora - what you describe is more aptly called patriotism. Nationalism has a more specific definition that is more along the lines of national xenophobia (worth researching/looking into to properly understand the distinction). I find that nationalism tends to fall just one step short of racism and often leads to similar bigotry.

[Flora Korkis]

Flora - what you describe is more aptly called patriotism. Nationalism has a more specific definition that is more along the lines of national xenophobia (worth researching/looking into to properly understand the distinction). I find that nationalism tends to fall just one step short of racism and often leads to similar bigotry.

Well, I just looked into what you said and looked for the definitions at dictionary.com. Here they are:

1. national spirit or aspirations.
2. devotion and loyalty to one's own nation; patriotism.
3. excessive patriotism; chauvinism.
4. the desire for national advancement or independence.
5. 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.
6. an idiom or trait peculiar to a nation.
7. a movement, as in the arts, based upon the folk idioms, history, aspirations, etc., of a nation.

Number 3 & 5 reminded me of your definition, but I guess it's really more of an opinion thing in terms of true definition. Ahh, don't you hate underestablished meanings? I take nationalism as more of a pride national thing, but I don't go anywhere beyond that. There is, sadly, a fine line between nationalism and racism in some cases, and I'd know that because, in the past, I was quite racist and prejudice, having grown up with a... strange environmental influence, per se. I'm just glad I got out of that before things REALLY got out of hand.

So all in all, I'm not going to debate it with you, because this is one of those things where it's kind of hard to find an exact compromise.

[bell-the-cat]

In my heart there are a few nations that I hold dearly due to my family's mixed history, but my strongest nationalist feelings would have to lie within Canada. Canada is a place that just keeps giving and giving, and the freedom is so strong, it's hard for me to imagine myself being anywhere else.

I agree with your feelings about nationalism, only the dead inside feel none.

Breathes there a man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said
This is my own, my native land!

At a guess, much of Canadian nationalism comes from not being America.
Which is probably a part of what natonalism is: it is not just about what you are, but about what you are not.

[Flora Korkis]

Bell, that's not just it - it's about not being Britain, either! XD

But seriously, there's so much to be proud of. It's one of the most diverse countries in the world, the scenary and nature is amazing, the people are the friendliest you'll ever meet, it's a very liberal country, free speech is what it is - free speech, rarely limited, the school system is quite good, and I don't know where to stop... it's just amazing!