Posted on 09/06/2021 10:37:23 PM PDT by ammodotcom
The terms “nationalism” and “patriotism” are often used interchangeably. This is understandable, as they have somewhat overlapping meanings, both of which suffer from a certain amount of vagueness. However, there are a number of key differences between the two that are worth shedding light on. In the final analysis, we believe that the term “nationalism,” while not denoting anything totalitarian by its nature, is not an accurate term for the sentiment that exists in the United States. Nationalism, it would seem, is more suited to Europe or Asia, places with historic nations, united by common language and ethnicity that are necessarily tied with a certain area of land.
There’s a lot to unpack here and the differences are extremely subtle. And to give a bit of a spoiler, we’re not going to be taking the position, as is often the case, that patriotism is fine but nationalism is simply a metastatic and malignant form of patriotism.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammo.com ...
Before going any further, it’s worth taking a few minutes to distinguish both patriotism and nationalism from libertarianism and conservatism. We can do this without parsing out the difference between patriotism and nationalism – and for that matter, libertarianism and conservatism. Libertarianism and conservatism operate from a similar set of principles. These principles are abstract and platonic in as much as they are about divining the truest form of an ideal ideology from a stated goal. Libertarianism has a clear philosophical principle: more liberty is always good. American conservatism is a diffuse and often contradictory philosophy, but for the purposes of extrapolating the difference between conservatism and other ideologies, we will say that the defining characteristic of American conservatism (as opposed to European conservatism, which has a much greater overlap with nationalism), is that of limited government.
We can conflate both of these ideals into the somewhat more vague notion that “freedom is always good.” The point here isn’t to oversimplify and make a strawman. It’s simply to come up with a uniting ethos to illustrate how nationalism and patriotism as ideologies differ from currents that have been more mainstream on the American right for a longer period of time.
Nationalism and patriotism, on the other hand, might find value in freedom and might even make a secondary goal out of it. However, the uniting principle of each is that it is the country itself, the success of the body politic, that is paramount, not more abstract notions of freedom.
Thus, the key difference is that conservatism and libertarianism are philosophically driven ideologies where results take a backseat to principles. On the other hand, nationalism and patriotism are pragmatic ideologies, where the proof is in the pudding. Another way of phrasing this is that libertarianism and conservatism are non-consequentialist, whereas nationalism and patriotism are consequentialist. Conservatism and libertarianism are guided by “doing the right thing,” whereas nationalism and patriotism are more “the ends justify the means” type of philosophies.
It is worth noting, briefly, that Sam Francis, an advisor to the 1996 presidential campaign of Pat Buchanan, urged him to not even compete for the mantle of “conservative,” instead telling him to identify as a nationalist, patriot or America Firster. His ideas are considered enormously influential on President Trump’s 2016 campaign.
I am a nationalist, in that I believe the best way to organize the diverse people of this planet, is to have nations, each with their own borders, language and culture.
People should be able to live in a society where they feel they belong. We used to do that here via the Melting Pot.
Now we’re told that we are a “tossed salad”, in other words, Balkanized. And we know what that ultimately leads to.
OK. Finally after 75 years I have found out who I am and what I believe in.
I am a nationalistic conservative with some little “L” libertarian leanings and I believe in the Constitution of the United States of America.
There that cleared up everything.
A “nation” is a people, not a polity.
“Nationalism, it would seem, is more suited to Europe or Asia, places with historic nations,”
That’s absolutely not true. The US has been a stable, united country longer than a lot of European countries. You can start with Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Poland, Russia... As nations go they’re pretty young.
I really don’t think there’s much difference between the two terms - they both refer to a love and pride of one’s country and its culture and traditions.
I am an American. Born annd bred. I am young enough too have seen the infolding of Alaska and Hawaii, both far points ftom the traditional CONUUS. We are a separate people.made from other nations, some reluctantly, some with horns blaring their arrival. We have our borders, both natural and negotiated. Our cuisine is varied, as is our local accents. Our religious and spiritual beliefs are varied, whether Wesrtern, Oriental, indigenous, or none. Our politics are one’s pleasure or poison, which some of us attempt to infuse with our beliefs.
I volunteered to serve in our military during the time of the draft. I served 10 years in booth the Vietnam War and The Cold War. That definese me as a patriot. I am also a nativist. First in war. First in peeace. First in proosperity. Citizens first.
Sam Francis ...like Pat
Scorned by neocons in his day
Was right .
Widespread election fraud resulting in betrayal of a nation and a sitting President.
I am a full blooded nationalist and despise globalism.
Heck, I will take it a step further. I am a TEXAS Nationalist FIRST
Hogwash. YOU HAVE to be a Nationalist to be a Patriot!!!!
I've not read beyond the excerpt, but I assume he's some sort of Neocon trying to distinguish "good conservatism" (i.e., proposition nation, nation of ideals, immigrants more American than native born Americans, etc.) from "bad conservatism" (i.e., MAGA, America First, America as nation with a European Christian heritage).
No only were all the founders of this country Nationalists and Patriots THEY WERE ALL TRADE PROTECTIONISTS ( anti mercantilism ). We need to get back to that.
He did the exact opposite. You missed where he said he wasn’t going to do that.
Hallelujah brother, Texas deserves and can do a whole heck of a lot better than the federal government would ever allow it to.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.