Patriotic Nationalism vs. the Uncivilized

Submitted by Robert (United States), Oct 19, 2018 at 00:43

Dear Daniel Pipes,

Your article here I found extremely informative. However, I have 2 issues I wish to raise with you here.

(1) I don't like the term "Civilizational." To me it suggests that the Golden Age of Islam wasn't Civilized, whereas it was Europe in those Dark and Middle Ages was relatively Uncivilized.

(2) You distinguish between Patriotism and Nationalism favoring the former. I never understood the difference. As I understand it, Nationalism arose particularly in Europe in association with the Industrial Revolution and the consequent rise of the Nation-State - in contrast to the City-State of the Ancients. The scholarly study of this Modern Nationalism first arose between the two World Wars initiated by Columbia University History Professor, CARLTON J. H. HAYES. and I do not understand why you disparage the term in favor of Patriotism instead. As I understand it, Patriotism is merely loyalty to one's Nation State (one's Country). What do you find unacceptable about Nationalism? After all, t does not necessarily have to manifest itself in the way of Nazi Germany, or Fascist Italy, of of the Chauvinist form.

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