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Entry: Further Notes on Nationalism Link: http://www.takimag.com/blogs/article/further_notes_on_nationalism#23575 Post contents: As I suggest in my comments above, patriotism does not give a ready antidote to the real threat to good order and good sense. It's not hatred of one's nation, nor an abstract internationalism, so much, as it is an abuse of the Christian instinct for a "brotherhood of man." A patriot might sincerely say: I love my country *but* I love all countries, and it wouldn't be kind of me to love mine more simply on account of an accident of birth. Nationalism is the antidote to this nonsense. Because nationalism says--in the same manner as erotic love is distinguished form philial love--that you will love this one above all others and make its interests your own. This can be defensive, charitable, or offensive in nature, but the distinguishing trait is the clear-cut division of "us" and "them." In other words, nationalism in its very worst manifestations at least will be subjectively seeking the good of the coherent national group, which cannot be said for adherents to internationalist creeds, transnational empires, or subversive and extreme tribalism. Sent at: 2008 10 12