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Some day I may actually read this. I don't know what to make of Orwell. He was right about Communism, but as Communism has receded his relevancy has waned. Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" seems to have been a better guide to the future than Orwell's 1984. Orwell offends both right and left -- and often goes out of his way to offend one or the other or both. The question is whether that is a strength or a weakness. Once it seemed an unquestionable strength, and perhaps it will again some day. During the post-Cold War period it looked more like posturing and an annoyance than anything else.

Orwell's distinction between patriotism and nationalism is valid. The nationalist often doesn't have much love for his actual country. But this was a distinction that Orwell had to work out for himself. For many of those who came afterwards this distinction has been just be a way of making an easy condemnation of those one disagrees with -- more armament for political argument than something to really reflect upon.

I enclose more "Notes on Nationalism" that someone posted on the Internet.

THE SEVEN RULES OF NATIONALISM.

1. If an area was ours for 500 years and yours for 50 years, it should belong to us -- you are merely occupiers.

2. If an area was yours for 500 years and ours for 50 years, it should belong to us -- borders must not be changed.

3. If an area belonged to us 500 years ago but never since then, it should belong to us -- it is the Cradle of our Nation.

4. If a majority of our people live there, it must belong to us -- they must enjoy the right of self-determination.

5. If a minority of our people live there, it must belong to us -- they must be protected against your oppression.

6. All the above rules apply to us but not to you.

7. Our dream of greatness is Historical Necessity, yours is Fascism.

I like your Rules of Nationalism. Amazing how well they apply to most of the territorial problems in the world, notably to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

I don't know what to make of Orwell. He was right about Communism, but as Communism has receded his relevancy has waned.

I've been reading more of his stuff lately. Maybe he'll come back into fashion.

Orwell's distinction between patriotism and nationalism is valid. The nationalist often doesn't have much love for his actual country. But this was a distinction that Orwell had to work out for himself. For many of those who came afterwards this distinction has been just be a way of making an easy condemnation of those one disagrees with -- more armament for political argument than something to really reflect upon.

That happens to a lot of interesting thought.