Does Nationalism include a racial element?

Question

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Voted "No," though "In a way" might also work. The distinction being that there is a distinction between "nationality" and "race."

Thus, for example, Germans, French, Italians, Spanish, Poles, etc. are all of the white race, but they are distinct nationalities. "Nationalism" being a question of language, habits and customs, and ultimately a common sense of identity and community.

By contrast, "race" is defined largely by skin color - typically Black, White, Yellow, Red. There may be different languages and - at least historically speaking - there is typically no sense of common identity. Thus, for example, were the Germans and the French - both white - bitter enemies. Ditto the Japanese and the Chinese.

In recent times, race has taken on a sort of "nationalism," but in actuality - as a concept - it is of fairly recent vintage and is not that deeply woven into the sense of identity. See also the brutal wars between Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda. That being actually a matter not even of national - both claim to be Rwandan - but of tribal identity.

Nationalism is of a somewhat older origin than racial identity. Being born as a product - and to some degree a reaction to - the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment postulate man as universal being. A creature endowed with natural rights that were universal. The paradox being that this made man radically alone, with no wider sense of identity or community.

Thus was nationalism born and it is arguably the most powerful force in global life. Race, by contrast, is not typically a unifying force. See also the weak sense of community - as reflected in the high crime rates and the like - among African-Americans in the United States. See also again the brutal rivalries among the states - and within the states - of Africa.

This is further complicated by one other factor. There are "national states" - that is states defined by national identity - and there are "creedal states." See also, for example, the United Kingdom and the United States. These latter two defining their sense of national identity by - as Lincoln put it - "dedication to a proposition."

In the case of the United Kingdom, that "proposition" is "loyalty to the Crown" with all that the "Crown" embodies. The English, Scots, Welsh, and the Protestant Irish being four distinct nationalities, but joined as a single nation in the United Kingdom by the aforementioned "loyalty to the Crown."

The case of the United States being even more extraordinary. Different races - White, Black, Red, Yellow - different religions, different ethnicities all bound together and given a common sense of identity, community and citizenship by the "proposition" defined by the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and various other such documents and speeches.

A third such example is Canada. Here the English, French and to some degree Native American - the latter being not really a single nationality but a coalition of tribal identities - are bound together by "loyalty to the Crown." This being even more complicated by the fact that the "Crown" is actually the British monarch.

The bottom line, in a sense the question is right in that "creedal nationalism" can bring together race, among other factors, characteristics and demographics in a common sense of identity. However, a strict definition of the term "nationalism" as it came out of the romantic reaction to the Enlightenment makes it a distinct thing from race." Indeed, the irony being that race, while in a sense the most elemental characteristic, did not really become a force and distinct thing until the 20th century.

Stoner710 · Accepted Answer

Sometimes it doesn’t always half to do with race.

nationalism is a double edged sword and as many ways of being nationalistic.
there is black nationalism (BLM black Hebrew Israelites). White nationalism (KKK neo Nazis) Yellow nationalism the idea of “Uniting the yellow race”. Was a poplar idea in Japan prior and during WW2 Which is based off of race.

There is American nationalism which isn’t race based it is saying the United States is the best country in the world other countries may be good but we are the best.

there is religious nationalism, atheism is included since atheism is. Religion it’s the absolute belief that there is no god. The only true non religion is agnosticism because we aren’t declaring an absolute. Both sides in the United States express either atheist nationalism or Christian nationalism Muslims tend to agree with Islamic nationalism.

now except for racial nationalism nationalism is perfectly fine it’s important to have pride in your country every single country in the world needs to have some form of nationalism in order to survive as a country. It’s when nationalism turns to action and not just words is when it becomes an issue and yes it has started wars religious nationalism has started wars there a fine line between thinking you country religion race is the best and then discriminating against others American nationalist are the best at excepting others of all different races sex and creeds as long as you love the American way of life

Aerissa_Jade · Accepted Answer

It does not need to, but people can make it so.

Nationalism itself is just people wanting to put the interests of their own country above others, making their country first priority.

That alone has no racial elements... but people can throw it in the mix if they want, but not needed.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

Yes. If you speak to people with strong nationalist beliefs you quickly find they don't include other races even if they were born in the same country. As they often sat "a dog born in a stable isn't a horse".

Nationalism is the father of xenophobia and racism

ArtemisSilver · Answer

Uh yes it does, the US, Canada and Australia are the exceptions rather than the rule. Just look at China, Japan, India and Russia. They're all ethno states. Most of Europe and the UK used to be like that, and since they stopped the quality of life in those places has gone to shit.

Mass immigration isn't even providing the economic boost it was supposed to either, just look at France, the country is fucked in every measurable way now.

Even the US Can and Aus are based on UK ethnic group and social traditions. We've pretty much abandoned our UK roots in Canada, and the result has been massive disunity. Alberta can't even sell oil to other provinces or access ports fairly anymore.

The future for Canada and the US looks grim. I'm thinking both countries are likely to fracture into smaller and weaker successor countries.

Race isn't even the problem, identity politics are. Every group seems to be breaking down into smaller and smaller identitarian tribes based on virtually anything and that process is going to cause the collapse of western civilization.

ChillaxingLove · Answer

No. I can call Asian, Hispanic, Black, or White; my American brothers

Adaeva · Answer

Very few people died with COVID. Many people listed as COVID deaths died with COVID or COVID antibodies died such as people with COVID dying from old age, people dying in car accidents, and people dying from cancer.

exitseven · Answer

No, but it requires people to be OF the United States instead of just FROM the US. If I have to explain this than obviously you are not. All are welcome.

OldWorldOrder · Answer

The nation is an inherently genetic construct. The etymology confirms this.

noohair · Answer

Russians and Ukrainians are both considered Slavic, but they hate each other.

IsoUser · Answer

Ideally no nationalism should not involve racism just ideals and beliefs. But we're here in America so Racism is front and center

demonics · Answer

Replace race with culture. Yes.

joeldalton · Answer

shouldn’t you be watching the 9/11 x10 hearings?

jahaims · Answer

Nope, but people try to include it.

Snakeyes7 · Answer

Depends on the nation in question.

msc545 · Answer

Nationalists and bigotry go together

Anonymous · Answer

Depends on nationalism

Does Nationalism include a racial element?

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