originally posted by: skalla
a reply to: Dimithae
Well yep, all I can do is agree and give you a star.
It's just a shame that so often the reaction to criticism, however constructive and friendly is a swing in the exact opposite direction - the uber
defensive, total isolationist approach.
And nationalism really is not such a great thing, not when it defines a political movement at least.
Europe's history is a testament to that.
Europes history also says Monarchs are murderous or benevolent depending on which you judge.
It says socialism is a massive failure, or a shining example of fairness for all, depending on which one you judge.
In fact, National Socialism as an ideology, not as practiced by the NSDAP (NAZI) party has a great deal of merits.
Nationalism get's a bad rap almost entirely because of Hitler, but fascism was the real problem under the NSDAP.
One country I've spent time in that is quite nationalist is Japan. And I was truly struck at how well it works when you have a homogenous population
who don't waste time bickering about skin color or other petty things.
Japan also has many socialist values and systems. Japanese see it as good for Japan, because what's good for Japanese people, is good for Japan in
general. The collective culture in Japan is what empowers them to achieve such heights and economic power from a medium size population, little land
mass and even less natural resources. You have to go to Japan to truly feel it, it's amazing.
So in a way Japan is a Nationalist/Socialist state.
When I came back from Japan, I had a whole new perspective on the USA. I started to realize how much more we could achieve as a nation if we all saw
ourselves as AMERICANS. No prefixes. Just "American" Not Scottish-American, Latin-American or African-American. to me that's
Nationalism;
coming together as a nation for the good of your people as a whole. Nationalism doesn't preclude trade with other nations. It doesn't require
isolationism,
( though to maintain a healthy economy and working class we need to strictly regulate outsourcing, and overhaul the import tariff structure.)
Nationalism, the way I see it, is fine and in fact good as long as it doesn't become obnoxious gloating or a national superiority complex. If we ever
got our sh*t together in the USA, I see no reason why Americans shouldn't be able to have some pride in their nation.
Again, not a chest-pounding F-U to the world, but just "We make some of the best products in the world, and do some really great things worldwide".
Currently we DO in fact make some of the best products in the world in many industries. I think we need to work on our efforts to do good in the
world in general, but we do send BILLIONS all over the world every year helping others.
So I guess you could say I'm a little bit nationalist, a little bit socialist (I believe in help for those who deserve it). A little bit proud to be
American, yet keenly aware of my nation's shortcomings...
.
edit on 14-12-2014 by 8675309jenny because: (no reason given)