Nationalism as a political ideology and nationalism as advocacy for independence of people sharing national identity that isn’t broadly recognized as official nation are two different things sharing the same name. Nationalism as political ideology is inherently evil, as it puts interests of an artifical construct above interests of people, with specific attention put to ingroup and outgroup dynamics. Separatists movements aren’t inherently evil, with the desire of liberation being usually something everyone can stand behind, but if those movements co-opt the nationalist ideology, then they may be classified as evil in my book. Or evil-er. There are no perfect victims and such.
I feel like it’s a meaningful distinction to make.
Nationalism - identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
Patriotism - the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country.
Nationalism as a political ideology and nationalism as advocacy for independence of people sharing national identity that isn’t broadly recognized as official nation are two different things sharing the same name. Nationalism as political ideology is inherently evil, as it puts interests of an artifical construct above interests of people, with specific attention put to ingroup and outgroup dynamics. Separatists movements aren’t inherently evil, with the desire of liberation being usually something everyone can stand behind, but if those movements co-opt the nationalist ideology, then they may be classified as evil in my book. Or evil-er. There are no perfect victims and such.
I feel like it’s a meaningful distinction to make.
Nationalism vs Patriotism
Nationalism - identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
Patriotism - the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country.