Armistice Day 1918-2019
President Macron of France brought up an interesting contrast between Nationalism and Patriotism during his Armistice Day centennial speech. Wold War I was to be the Great War to End all Wars. It was horrific for the men on the battlefield, being exposed to bombing, grenades, machine gun fire, poison gasses and intense weather while enduring trench warfare. France lost 10% of its mostly male population.
“Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism,” Macron said. “By saying, ‘Our interests first, who cares about the others,’ we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what gives it grace and what is essential: its moral values.”
After analyzing several dictionary definitions from Webster, Cambridge, Wikileaks, etc., I am endorsing these definitions of nationalism and patriotism:
Nationalism:
"1. Devotion, especially excessive or undiscriminating devotion, to the interests or culture of a particular nation-state.
2. The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals.
3. The belief that a particular cultural or ethnic group constitutes a distinct people deserving of political self-determination."
Nationalism is at times aggressive as evidenced as a cause for World War I, World War II, the 100 Years War, and the Napoleonic Wars. It created some of the greatest land grabs in history by such notables as: William the Conqueror, The Norman Conquest of England, US President James K. Polk, California and the Spanish held western lands, and Josef Stalin, who created the Union of Socialist Republics out of their participation in World War Two.
Now if you are Norman, Russian or American, you might say that these were great patriots. However, what they accomplished were very self interested wars for their own gain.
Nationalism can also be used to promote an Autocracy. This NOT why the US Constitution was written or what the written words of the US Constitution have constructed. The US Constitution calls for a Balance of Power divided equally by the Three Branches of Government.
Patriotism:
"Unselfish devotion to one’s country, its people, lands and democratic principles of governance." Simple definition and elegant. Although not born in the colonies, the Marquise de Lafayette and Baron von Steuben were American patriots.
I agree with President Macron. Patriotism needs to be lauded. On Armistice Day we should remember the brave souls of the fallen Harlem Hell Fighters, and the Lafayette Escadrille, American and French patriots, allies who fought on french and Belgium soil for the USA, France, England, and all Allied countries.
Nationalism is, in this 21st century, immoral and should be banished as an anachronism. The seeds of a by gone era of bigotry, social injustice and bloodshed that must be put behind us. Mankind is not served well by sowing discontent among nations and among ourselves.
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