NATIONALISM
Having a certain nationality does not necessarily make that person a nationalist.
It indicates where you were born somewhere in this world.
In people who are bi- or tripatride it not only indicates the place where you were born in the world, it also shows which roots you have, in most cases defined by your parents.
If someone sees the benefits of globalism and perhaps even has become a convinced globalist, it certainly does not mean that this person is losing his heritage, his nationality or his cultural background.
It could be possible in some extreme cases, but this is not the case with the vast majority of globalists.
Although the writer of this op-ed feels and regards himself more like a European, he still has in many ways a great appreciation for Dutch citizenship and the accompanying culture in general.
Being proud of your country of origin is a totally different story than what moderate and extreme nationalism advocates.
For this nationalism it is mainly about turning back the clock.
In the past when there were not many foreigners, everything was much better.
” Nationalist-minded people and the political parties that come under this heading are also keen on the gut feelings of people who have a difficult economic situation and often know little about the inseparable entanglement of countries around the world “
Clearly protected borders within the interests of their own people are paramount.
These nationalists forget that in the distant past there was no question of a proper border demarcation and the associated protection of the country.
People in Europe could therefore easily travel from one area to another and settle there.
Only after an increase in trade between countries and the corresponding import tariffs, more and more clearly monitored and verifiable borders appeared.
In addition, the current boundaries are entirely arbitrarily determined and modified by wars and the corresponding victories or losses.
One of the last profound radical changes of national boundaries is Poland, which was moved after the Second World War to what was then German (Prussian) territory.
A very long list of border changes can thus be made through the course of the centuries.
Nationalists are therefore mostly people who have little to no sense of history.
For them it is much more about the present of the country in which they are active.
Own people first, but actually only their own people make them regard globalists as their enemies.
Globalism (political and or economic) as ideology is detested in the depths of their being.
Nationalist-minded people and the political parties that come under this heading are also keen on the gut feelings of people who have a difficult economic situation and often know little about the inseparable entanglement of countries around the world.
There is also a strong response to the fear people have for those foreigners and the money-consuming European Union, to name a few.
Globalism is the realization that we not only need each other globally, but also that we are connected to each other; we live on one and the same globe so we are condemned to each other, whether we like it or not!
Nationalism likes to deny the above by calling globalists traitors for example, and so on.
Nationalists, like the American Steve Bannon of Alt Right says at a nation-wide meeting of Marine Le Pen of France, that if a nationalist is called a racist this is actually an honorary title, a beautiful nickname.
This is the new standard. You are a Nazi supporter, you are a racist, an extreme populist, a supporter of Trump, Wilders and associates. Do not be ashamed of it, it is a beautiful title and the country profits from it.
Nationalists actually want to overthrow the existing order and undermine all sorts of institutions, such as the FBI, the intelligence services, the judiciary and the Euro in Europe and denounce European legislation and the money that is used for it.
In their own countries these nationalists often don’t care about the laws that apply there.
” Nationalism in that sense is another word for dictatorship or authoritarian regime; aliens are the first victims of nationalism, after those, the dissenters, the media, those who are different because of disability or disposition “
For example, insulting and threatening everything and everyone who does not belong to their own people is becoming increasingly visible in society.
Destruction, arson and sometimes even murders are committed by supporters of this extreme way of thinking.
The leaders of those groups use strong words, which leaves nothing to the imagination.
Similarly, the Jews are often, unfortunately again, victims of these nationalistic expressions, but also immigrants and/or everyone with a different skin color are also victims to these misdeeds that need to be condemned totally.
The media and the accompanying journalists, when they denounce such practices, are portrayed by the nationalists as partial and even fake news.
Trump’s reactions to, among others, CNN is an example, but also Wilders, Le Pen, Erdogan and others are not ashamed to suppress the truth.
Established facts about their operations are always regarded by these nationalists as science fiction.
For nationalists it is not about the facts whether something is true or not.
It is about their own agenda, their message of going back in time.
That is better and safer for everyone, they think.
Nationalism in that sense is another word for dictatorship or authoritarian regime.
Not the interests of people or groups should be guaranteed in society.
No, the starting point is the ideology of the party and its leaders, even though this is at the expense of prosperity, world peace and of those who need help.
Aliens are the first victims of nationalism.
After those, the dissenters, the media, those who are different because of disability or disposition.
If it is up to the nationalists the ideal state is created very quickly.
Where have we heard this before?
Indeed, Hitler’s ideal state is the most recent example of what this extreme nationalism generates in all its forms from populism to narcissism and everything in between: a world in chaos, new threats of war and perhaps a third world war.
Look at Trump, Duterte, Putin, Xi Jinping, Erdogan and many other leaders.
They are not so strict with the truth and the facts.
Indeed, they invent the facts if necessary, they verifiably lie in order to be right.
They all are so-called strong, dictatorial persons who ultimately lead their country to the abyss.
At the heart of the matter for these nationalists it is only about serving their own interests.
A side effect is that they also richly fill their own pockets.
In addition, it is and remains remarkable how these figures, such as Trump, Duterte, Xi Jinping, Putin and Erdogan value each other, maintain contact and meet if possible and stimulate each other in the direction of more (extreme) nationalism.
A greater evil for mankind can hardly be imagined. Nationalism is a guarantee of that!
