(no subject)

[oakfarm]

 “Nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism. Both words are normally used in so vague a way that any definition is liable to be challenged, but one must draw a distinction between them, since two different and even opposing ideas are involved. By ‘patriotism’ I mean devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force on other people. Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally. Nationalism, on the other hand, is inseparable from the desire for power. The abiding purpose of every nationalist is to secure more power and more prestige, not for himself but for the nation or other unit in which he has chosen to sink his own individuality.”

George Orwell. 

I have lived my whole life not knowing there's a different between nationalism and patriotism. Nor did I know that George Orwell hated nationalism and loved patriotism.

Comments

[oakfarm]

I have a thought about that. It’s not like I often discuss politics online with Americans. But one or two times it has happened. The time I think about the American first noted that I was for Sweden and couldn’t know anything about her country. Then she called me “liberal”. I’m I taking that the wrong way if it that sounds Americacentric and arrogant to me? I know that I don’t understand US politics. She thought that if I’m not a conservative in the US sence of the word, I must be an American liberal. Like there’s only two political ideology in the world, both being American.