Since the Charlie Hebdo shooting earlier this year, many have become more attentive to the rising nationalism among Muslims. It is thought that this nationalism is the mechanism behind the perceived uptick in international terrorism. There are bad and good versions of nationalism, but I would argue that too much of it is not wise. Voltaire once said, “So it is the human condition that to wish for the greatness of one’s fatherland is to wish evil to one’s neighbours.” Nationalism is not absolutely evil, but to its extreme it is a risky concept.
Nationalism is not necessarily the ultimate poison—it often helps to bring forth the maximum power of a people to unite against invasion or to bring great improvement to a country. There are several occasions in which nationalism has been beneficial throughout history. For example, Italy was able to unite under a single nationhood with the rise of a nationalist movement in 1871. It also gives power to the leaders who are struggling for independence from colonial influence.
Too much nationalism becomes dangerous because while it inspires the full strength of people to carry out good deeds, it also motivates some to carry out the will of a nation at all costs, often in the form of attacking others. It tends to blind people. Those taken by the ideal tend to follow what the nation is demanding from them. This is not to say that people are brainwashed, which is a gross oversimplification, but rather they are forced to conform to the mandated passion for the nation, sacrificing personal values.
The most glaring example of detrimental nationalism is Nazi Germany. It is generally acceptable to say that all of Germany was fully devoted to the regime, which manifested itself in the quest to eliminate those deemed not worthy in order to claim the optimal benefit for themselves. It caused catastrophic wars, destruction, a division into two nations and a permanent mark as a war criminal that massacred millions of souls. While Germany overcame this nationalism, the effects still remain, with many coming as a result of its division following World War II. Communist East Germany struggled to develop economically, especially when compared to its western counterpart. Such contrast gave rise to Neo-Nazism and movements against foreigners seen as harming the already poor economy. The impacts of nationalistic movements seem to have an irremovable residue.
Current terrorist movements are inspired not only by religious belief, but also by the aforementioned intense nationalism. Many terrorist movements stem from harsh feelings toward Western culture, and are sometimes present inside those who have been displaced from their homelands into developed nations with clearly different cultures than their homeland. It gives them a sense of isolation, confusion of identity and confronts them with discrimination from Western people. Islamic belief, and cultures associated with it, offer them inspiration and belonging without discrimination, which is what nationalism depends on. Their violent deeds are a negative impact of nationalism.
It is understandable that nationalist movements from cultures different than ours are threatening. However, just as the rise of nationalism in other cultures is threatening, our own nationalism could be equally as threatening to others. Fear should not be used as a reason to fight nationalistic terrorists. Hatred against hatred will only bring conflict instead of harmony.
Hae Rin is a freshman majoring in history. What do you think of her perspective on this issue? Does the concept of nationalism have anything to do with recent instances of domestic terrorism? Could there be something else that is more to blame? Does Nazi Germany serve as a valid example of runaway nationalism? Please send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com
