Yes, Nationalism Takes Many Forms

Submitted by Dave (United States), Oct 20, 2018 at 20:15

Thanks, Robert. You addressed this issue in a way that I think is very necessary. Rather than assume that there is a dichotomy between patriotism and nationalism, one may instead consider that nationalism subsumes both noble sentiments regarding the nation-state, such as patriotic sacrifice and the endeavor to improve the lives of all the citizens living within secure borders, as well as jingoism and xenophobia. Nationalism is sort of like fire: It can heat your house and cook your food, but it can also burn down Chicago.

The choice of many Jews to seek protection and fulfillment in their own nation-state meant that there was an historical switch from seeking salvation in universal ideologies like socialism, to Zionism, a form of nationalism. That has meant a shift in traditional Jewish alliances away from the Left and towards fellow nationalists who are usually on the Right. Sure, nationalism as a form of power inevitably brings some abuses, but it's not like the Communists were any kind of angels.

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