[Bishop_Malachi]

I think you’re confusing “fascist” with “nationalist.”

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No...the Left views fascism and nationalism as synonymous. I don’t. Unfortunately, many academics associate the two, which I think is just a laziness in thinking.

To me fascism is coupled with an very aggressive militarism. But Fascism implies a strong sense of nationalism...if only because force is necessary to protect/affirm the cultural identity of said nation.

[Bishop_Malachi]

No...the Left views fascism and nationalism as synonymous. I don’t. Unfortunately, many academics associate the two, which I think is just a laziness in thinking.

To me fascism is coupled with an very aggressive militarism. But Fascism implies a strong sense of nationalism...if only because force is necessary to protect/affirm the cultural identity of said nation.

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Let me clarify further...fascism implies nationalism, but not the other way around. You can be a nationalist and yet not be an advocate of aggressive, interventionist foreign policy.

[IronJack]

Why would force be necessary to affirm a nation's cultural identity if the people of the nation took pride in it? It's not as though the faith of other nations was important. It's a question of SELF-identity and SELF-pride. We don't have to force anyone to acknowledge our worth. It's enough that we see it ourselves.

No, I believe nationalism is a good thing, a common bond that cements the identity of a people. Fascism is just a codified system of tyranny, and nationalism is not a necessary ingredient.