2 ms·

> In western nations, we have reduced nationalism (and national pride in general) by a LOT for the last generations (especially on the left side of the politica

> In western nations, we have reduced nationalism (and national pride in general) by a LOT for the last generations (especially on the left side of the political spectrum) We really haven't, we've reduced national jingoism and converted it into identity jingoism, then redefined modernity as a harmonious collection of designated and licensed identities at war with the corruption of evil foreign influences. We've continued or escalated international aggression, to the extent that the fear of or the desire for revenge upon foreigners has become the main issue in politics. It is absolutely mundane now to accuse your neighbor of being the servant of a foreign power. In western nations, we have reduced or eliminated civics education, which was our only chance to tell people about popular sovereignty, that government springs from their rights and is for their comfort. Now many of them think that their rights have been granted for the government's protection. Nationalism is poison.

myrmidon 2y ago
> We really haven't, we've reduced national jingoism and converted it into identity jingoism This is kinda what I mean-- instead of identifying with the nation (freedom & opportunity), a lot of people have latched onto their party instead, and this is an obvious disadvantage for social cohesion (you could even reframe this a bit as freedom vs opportunity, an interesting thought). I find it curious how your wording implies direction/intention/agency in these changes, which i personally don't believe to exist. Sure, some people owning large media might sit at a longer oar, but in the end we're all just along for the ride and no single person or entity really sits at the helm and controls how culture and society changes (in my view). edit: I honestly think that education is roughly better than it ever was-- I would not really blame it for this despite some failings (but got no US education personally).

myrmidon 2y ago

> We really haven't, we've reduced national jingoism and converted it into identity jingoism This is kinda what I mean-- instead of identifying with the nation (freedom & opportunity), a lot of people have latched onto their party instead, and this is an obvious disadvantage for social cohesion (you could even reframe this a bit as freedom vs opportunity, an interesting thought). I find it curious how your wording implies direction/intention/agency in these changes, which i personally don't believe to exist. Sure, some people owning large media might sit at a longer oar, but in the end we're all just along for the ride and no single person or entity really sits at the helm and controls how culture and society changes (in my view). edit: I honestly think that education is roughly better than it ever was-- I would not really blame it for this despite some failings (but got no US education personally).