There are two types of nationalism, imho, the kind based on arrogance, the ‘God given’ right to more than your share; and the kind of nationalism based on a quiet confidence in yourself and your neighbours’ ability to defend your share with every breath.
We are seeing both in action these days!
The first type we see spread across the news, the grab for whatever they can get their hands on by the oligarchy, East and West, inside and outside their borders. This is not a new phenomena, we have seen examples from the Roman Empire to Germany in the 1930’s. Of sad interest in all these cases is the support of religions, amalgamating the pure non-nationalist teachings of profound philosophers with pure greed and idolatry of human figures to create a sort of cultlike religious nationalism. In their god-given right they are blind to the fragility of their position and quest.
Beyond the loss of jobs and tax revenue, the gutting of social safety nets and willy-nilly dissemination of private or classified information, there are longer term effects ahead, such as the rise of disease, lowering of standard of living and health, and the loss of trust by your trading partners. These will persist long after the current administration has ended their mandate! Just two months into the administration new trade alliances are being formed and local products are substituting for products that would be imported.
The second type of nationalism is more subtle, quietly bubbling under the surface, hidden by smaller intra-national squabblings. In Canada a prime example is the sometimes testy relationship between Quebec and the rest of Canada / the federal government. Or the attempts by Alberta to declare themselves sovereign within Canada, a kind of mini-Texas.
But something amazing happens to this quiet nationalism in the face of arrogant nationalism! Quiet nationalism becomes confident nationalism; the sense that should the bully come to your playground you could kick the crap out of them. Suddenly Canadian flags are everywhere, premiers are united and Quebec is leading a Pro-Canada charge! Only Alberta lags behind the national front, and in the end their future could follow the future of the arrogant nationalists – sadly.
Sure there are hard days ahead for quiet nationalism, no doubt our economy and personal well being are going to take deep hits. But think of the opportunities of diversification that lie ahead! New partnerships around the world, new markets and a newfound belief in ourselves!
Canada is known as a country that says “Sorry!” at the drop of a hat. Perhaps now is the time for a wee tweaking of that slogan:
“Sorry – NOT Sorry!”
Mark