Is nationalism too dangerous for a country? why or why not?

Question

pls do support your answer and write everything you wanna say. thanks

Answer 1

Hello,

I do not endorse it. More often than not you need a scape goat or whipping boy to be the focus of attention to rally everyone else to the common cause.

Michael

Answer 2

It can be good - in moderation. Take Germany, for example. Hitler took it to an extreme - including the elimination of anyone non-Germanic. However, it can be a good thing when people rally together and support each other and their nation. Iraq right now needs some nationalism, as the different groups in Iraq are holding each other back. Just remember, there is a difference between a country and a nation, in some ways.

Answer 3

Yes, it can be dangerous.
But so can the lack of it!
And it can be very beneficial.

The negative side is not difficult to see. Nationalism with a sense of superiority to to other races has led to war and empire-building, and generations of border wars. It's only tribalism scaled up a little.

But there is a positive side.
Perhaps the epitomy of an appeal to positive nationalism was contained in JFK's inaugural address:
"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

In Europe the anthem starting "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles," was not a cry for German domination of the world (Though when the allies so claimed as propaganda in WW2 the Nazis did not rush to refute them) but a call to put local interests and loyalties second to that of the newly formed nation.
The USA still has echoes of that from that sort of time, with state's rights and loyalites competing with nationalism.

Worse, without a convincing national identity and nationalism, a country may fall apart in internal strife as ethnic, political or economic factions see their interest and future within their own group, not within the nation as a whole.

While Czechoslovakia disengaged into the Czech and Slovak republics peacefully, Yugoslavia epitomised the other extreme. Whether Iraq will survive as a nation remains to be seen.

Answer 4

I think it is great when countries can help each other but it shouldn't be at the expense of your own people all the time. A lot of people in the United States are really struggling. The United States needs to start focusing on it's own citizens again.

Answer 5

Nationalism is like religion in that someone else has to be blamed for any problems.

Answer 6

no, nationalism is only dangerous when it's coupled with xenophobia. it can be very positive for countries recovering from foreign occupation.

Answer 7

I feed my family first. If there is any left over, you are welcome to it.