Civilizational advance has at its current top-level nationalism. Self: I look out for my own advantage. Everyone else is of lesser status, possibly and enemy o

Civilizational advance has at its current top-level nationalism. Self: I look out for my own advantage. Everyone else is of lesser status, possibly and enemy or opponent. Clans: I look out only for my own family's advantage. Everyone not in my family is of lesser status, possibly an enemy or opponent. Tribes: I look out only for my tribe's advantage. We may not all be family, the tribe may be made from many clans, but we are one tribe. Everyone not in my tribe is of lesser status, possibly an enemy or opponent. Nations: I look out for my nation's advantage. We are not all one family, one clan, or one tribe, but we are one culture. Everyone not a member of my nation is of lesser status within my borders, and may be an enemy or opponent. This is overly simplistic, of course, but nationalism has been the most advanced form of cultural organization we've achieved for a very long time. It's led to the notion of human rights, the idea of rule by law, and the formalization of trade (which has reduced global conflict by a large measure). Nations and nationalism are good things. They are social constructs, yes, but they are better than degeneration back to tribalism or clannishness. We can observe those regressions in the turmoil of the Middle East.