"Nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism. Both words are normally used in so vague a way that any definition is liable to be challenged, but one must draw a distinction between them, since two different and even opposing ideas are involved. By 'patriotism' I mean devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force on other people. Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally. Nationalism, on the other hand, is inseparable from the desire for power. The abiding purpose of every nationalist is to secure more power and more prestige, not for himself but for the nation or other unit in which he has chosen to sink his own individuality."
Notes on Nationalism, George Orwell.
2 comments:
Orwell is correct, as always. Unfortunately, patriotism is changed almost everywhere to nationalism nowadays. Why can't people understand what's going on and that it will hurt as all in the end?
Orwell is VERY astute. I've found at least 2-3 more quotes (written in 1945!) that could have been published yesterday. I think the failure to understand possible results are part ignorance, part a non-directional (and probably not understood) anger and probably a feeling that they have nothing to loose.... Which they often find out, when its already too late, is quite wrong. They want to tear things down, not realising just how HARD it is to rebuild *anything* from the ashes.
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