Nationalism

Filed with Ideology & Foundations · Related: Political Philosophy (MOC) · 60.18 Western Civ

Pinker’s Chapter 8 supplement — dominance, group identity, and ressentiment

Pinker treats nationalism as a possible fusion of tribal emotion, a cognitive representation of “the people,” and state power. The relevant mechanism is dominance, not national attachment by itself. Minimal-group experiments show how quickly arbitrary labels can produce in-group favoritism, while the existence of multiple overlapping identities can reduce the stakes of any one insult or contest. Groups also avert escalation when they punish their own “loose cannon,” allowing the other side to classify an attack as an individual crime rather than a collective first strike.

Nationalism becomes more dangerous in Pinker’s account when collective self-esteem is grandiose but fragile. He uses ressentiment for a narrative in which a nation or civilization is entitled to greatness and explains its lower status through an internal or external enemy. Humiliation, envy, grievance, and status restoration can then make violence feel like moral recovery. His applications to Germany, Russia, and “the Islamic world” are broad interpretive claims from a 2011 source, not measurements in the figures and not traits of every member of those societies. Nationalism can also organize self-government, solidarity, or resistance to empire; any case diagnosis needs actor-specific evidence, alternative causes, and a distinction between civic attachment and supremacy. Chapter 8 synthesis · Minimal groups and layered identity, PDF pp. 718–722 (file not included in this release) · Nationalism and ressentiment, PDF pp. 723–724 (file not included in this release) · Ethnic coexistence and own-group policing, PDF pp. 724–726 (file not included in this release)

Haidt’s Chapter 9 supplement — the national “we” can coordinate or blind

Haidt defines groupishness more strongly than social attachment: people sometimes promote a group’s interests at personal cost. A nation can therefore act as a portable moral community, using symbols, shared history, duties, institutions, and public goods to coordinate strangers beyond kinship. Group success need not mean war; it can consist in care, learning, production, conflict resolution, or survival.

The same machinery sharpens boundaries. External threat can activate solidarity before deliberation, turn scrutiny of leaders into disloyalty, and make out-group costs disappear from view. Haidt’s own post-9/11 response included aid, blood donation, support for national action, and an urge to display the flag; he also paired it with a United Nations flag, showing that identities can remain nested. The institutional aim is not a nation without attachment but a civic “we” constrained by wider rights, legitimate opposition, evidence, and rules against collective blame. The multilevel-selection origin story remains contested and cannot prove that a national project is natural, good, or inevitable. concept note and groupishness audit · two flags and threat activation, PDF pp. 220–222 (file not included in this release) · group competition without war, PDF p. 250 (file not included in this release)

Haidt’s Chapter 10 supplement — many small hives or one national superorganism?

Chapter 10 explains how a national “we” can become emotionally compelling through synchrony, ritual, awe, common symbols, sacrifice, and collective effervescence. Haidt places Kennedy’s “Ask not” appeal beside the Doctrine of Fascism to show that self-transcendent rhetoric cannot certify its political object. Fascism is the nation imagined as a superorganism in which the person loses independent importance.

The institutional distinction is between horizontal solidarity and vertical spectacle. A participatory festival can bond people to one another and sometimes invert hierarchy; a fascist rally directs awe toward synchronized force and a sacralized leader. The boundary is not perfect, but it yields concrete tests: can participants mock or replace the leader, refuse the mission, keep other identities, and recognize opposition as legitimate? Haidt’s preferred ecology is a nation filled with overlapping clubs, congregations, workplaces, teams, and parties—not one permanent hive. Cross-cutting groups can satisfy the need for belonging while making total political capture harder. This is an explicit normative judgment in the chapter, not a result proved by its psychology. → full concept note · Chapter 10 source audit · political hives, PDF pp. 272–275 (file not included in this release) · normative and Madison qualifications, PDF p. 419 (file not included in this release)

The History of Nationalism

1. Early Roots of Nationalism:

• Ancient and Medieval Origins: The concept of nationalism has roots in ancient and medieval periods, though it wasn’t nationalism in the modern sense. Ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome had a sense of collective identity, but these were more tied to city-states or empires rather than nation-states.
• Medieval Period: During the medieval period, loyalty was primarily to local lords or the Church rather than a nation. However, some early forms of proto-nationalism can be seen in the rise of distinct regional identities within Europe.

2. Emergence of Modern Nationalism:

• 16th to 18th Century: The emergence of the modern state system in Europe, particularly after the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, laid the groundwork for modern nationalism. The concept of sovereign states with defined borders began to take hold.
• Enlightenment Influence: The Enlightenment in the 18th century emphasized ideas of self-determination, liberty, and equality. Philosophers like Rousseau and Locke argued for the rights of individuals and the importance of the general will, which influenced nationalist thought.

3. Nationalism in the 19th Century:

• Napoleonic Wars: The spread of revolutionary ideas during and after the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars spurred nationalist movements across Europe. Napoleon’s conquests unintentionally promoted national consciousness as people resisted foreign rule.
• Unification Movements: The 19th century saw significant nationalist movements aimed at unifying fragmented states. Key examples include the unification of Germany under Otto von Bismarck and the unification of Italy under leaders like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Cavour.

4. Nationalism in the 20th Century:

• World War I and Self-Determination: The aftermath of World War I and the principle of self-determination promoted by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson led to the redrawing of national boundaries in Europe. Empires like Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian empires fragmented into nation-states.
• World War II and Decolonization: Post-World War II, nationalism played a crucial role in the decolonization process. Colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East gained independence, often through nationalist movements. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi in India and Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana were pivotal in these struggles.

5. Contemporary Nationalism:

• Post-Cold War Era: The end of the Cold War saw the breakup of multi-national states like the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, leading to the creation of new nation-states and a resurgence of nationalism in Eastern Europe.
• Globalization and Reactionary Nationalism: In recent years, globalization has led to a counter-reaction in the form of rising nationalism in various parts of the world. This includes movements for greater national sovereignty, anti-immigrant sentiments, and the reassertion of national identity.

Key Concepts in Nationalism:

• Cultural Nationalism: Focuses on a shared culture, language, and heritage.
• Civic Nationalism: Emphasizes shared values, political principles, and citizenship within a state.
• Ethnic Nationalism: Defines the nation in terms of ethnicity, often tied to a common ancestry.
• Economic Nationalism: Prioritizes domestic industries and economic independence from other countries.

Nationalism has thus been a powerful and often contentious force throughout history, shaping the political, cultural, and social landscapes of the world.

Differences Between Nations, Empires, and City-States

1. Nations:

• Definition: A nation is a large group of people who share a common identity, typically defined by shared culture, language, history, and often geography. Nations can be closely associated with the concept of a nation-state, where a political entity (state) coincides with a nation.
• Characteristics:
  • Cultural Homogeneity: Members of a nation usually share common cultural traits such as language, religion, and traditions.
  • Sovereignty: Nations often seek political sovereignty and self-determination.
  • Territory: Nations usually have a defined geographical territory, although not all nations have their own states (e.g., Kurds, Palestinians).
  • Sense of Identity: There is a strong sense of collective identity and unity among the people.
• Examples: Japan, France, Germany.

2. Empires:

• Definition: An empire is a large political entity that extends its rule over diverse territories and peoples, often acquired through conquest. Empires are characterized by a centralized authority that governs various regions and ethnic groups.
• Characteristics:
  • Diverse Populations: Empires typically encompass multiple nations, ethnic groups, languages, and cultures.
  • Expansionist: Empires grow through conquest, colonization, and the annexation of territories.
  • Centralized Power: An empire is usually ruled by a single sovereign authority, such as an emperor, king, or colonial power.
  • Complex Administration: Empires require complex administrative structures to manage their vast territories and diverse populations.
• Examples: The Roman Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire.

3. City-States:

• Definition: A city-state is a sovereign political entity consisting of a single city and its surrounding territory. City-states are independent and self-governing, often functioning as both the political and cultural center.
• Characteristics:
  • Small Size: City-states are typically small in geographical size compared to nations and empires.
  • Sovereignty: City-states maintain full political independence and sovereignty.
  • Economic Independence: They often have their own economies, currency, and trade systems.
  • Historical Significance: City-states were common in ancient and medieval times and played significant roles in the development of civilization.
• Examples: Ancient Athens and Sparta, Renaissance Florence, modern Singapore.

Summary of Differences:

• Scope and Size:

  • Nations: Typically large and encompass a single cultural identity.
  • Empires: Very large, ruling over multiple nations and diverse populations.
  • City-States: Small, consisting of a single city and its surrounding area.

• Governance and Administration:

  • Nations: Governed as a unified entity with a central government representing the nation’s people.
  • Empires: Centralized authority governing a vast and diverse range of territories and populations.
  • City-States: Self-governing with local administration, often centered in the city itself.

• Cultural and Ethnic Composition:

  • Nations: Generally homogeneous in terms of culture, language, and identity.
  • Empires: Culturally and ethnically diverse, incorporating many different groups.
  • City-States: Can be culturally homogeneous or diverse, depending on historical and geographical context.

Understanding these distinctions helps in comprehending the various forms of political and social organization throughout history and their impact on the development of human civilization.

Nationalist Countries and Killing their own Civilians

Creating a comprehensive table of nationalist leaders, their countries, timelines, and internal conflicts or wars involves extensive historical data. Here is a chronological summary of some notable nationalist leaders and countries, along with their timelines and significant internal conflicts or wars:

Notes:

1. Germany under Adolf Hitler: The rise of the Nazi Party led to various internal conflicts, including the Night of the Long Knives where Hitler purged his own party, and Kristallnacht, a pogrom against Jews. WWII was a significant outcome of Nazi nationalism.

2. Italy under Benito Mussolini: Mussolini’s march on Rome marked the beginning of his rule. His regime involved various purges and repression, culminating in Italy’s involvement in WWII and the subsequent Italian Civil War.

3. Spain under Francisco Franco: The Spanish Civil War was a major conflict resulting in Franco’s rise to power. His regime saw widespread repression and execution of political opponents.

4. Japan under Hideki Tojo: Militaristic nationalism under Tojo led to Japan’s aggressive expansion during WWII, which included internal political purges.

5. India under Narendra Modi: Modi’s tenure has seen significant religious and social unrest, including riots and protests. The controversial Citizenship Amendment Act and farmer protests are notable examples.

6. Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: Erdoğan’s rule has seen multiple internal conflicts, including the Gezi Park protests and a failed coup attempt. The ongoing conflict with the Kurdish population remains significant.

7. Russia under Vladimir Putin: Putin’s Russia has been marked by conflicts in Chechnya, the annexation of Crimea, and political repressions. The invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has further highlighted nationalist policies.

8. Brazil under Jair Bolsonaro: Bolsonaro’s tenure involved significant conflicts over environmental policies, political protests, and controversial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

9. Hungary under Viktor Orbán: Orbán’s leadership has been marked by controversial reforms and increasing authoritarianism, leading to widespread protests and EU concerns.

10. Philippines under Rodrigo Duterte: Duterte’s war on drugs resulted in numerous extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses.

11. China under Xi Jinping: Xi’s tenure has seen significant nationalist policies, including crackdowns in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, with substantial international and internal criticisms.

If you need more details on specific countries or leaders, feel free to ask!