What are the positives and negatives of nationalism in Europe after 1815?

Answer 1

Depends on what you mean by nationalism. Nationalism can vary from simply being national pride or patriotism (which are generally seen as being positive attitudes) to rampant bigotry and parochialism whereby anything "foreign" is vilified and rejected (Nazism/Fascism are extreme examples of this).

Generally, nationalism is used to describe the more negative concepts as opposed to the more positive ones. Nationalism is linked either directly or implicitly to racism, racial conflicts and bigotry whereby the population is indoctrinated to behave in frenzied and unquestioning manner.

However, if the word is used without judegement the positives are:

1) Patriotism and national pride. This is opposed to national apathy or even self hatred of ones nation and its culture.

2) Civic pride whereby people consider the wellbeing of the nation to be important in their everyday lives. JFK said it best when he pronounced "think not what your country can do for you, think what you can do for your country".

3) A more cohesive society so long as nationalism is not linked to racial qualities. True positive nationalism embraces newcomers and instills them with the same pride in their new homeland that those born there already have.

Negatives are:

1) Bigotry and intolerance. Human nature being what it is tends to corrupt concepts that should be positive. Isolationism, racism and ethnic conflict are common.

2) Facism. The extreme is always a possibility once the door has been opened.

3) Simplistic thinking and population control through Propaganda. Nationalism by its nature tends not to allow deversity of opinions and this results in accusations of disloyalty. As soon as you hear people shout phrases such as "un-American", "un-British" and "un-Australian" etc etc around, its a sign of people hijacking national identity to quell the views of their oponents.

4) Expolitation of the people by their leaders. JFK's already quoted statement can also have a horrendous aspect to it: reducing citizens to mindless drones to be exploited whereby the government does not serve the people, the people serve the government.

5) The creation of false enemies. Either in the form of actual people or in concepts, nationalism tends to create the existance of opposing forces, those who are a threat to the nation. Usually, these are not really a threat at all but are perceived so because they do not conform. Homosexuals, religious groups, ethnic groups, conscientious objectors, foreign powers and new ideas are all frequently portrayed as "wrong" or a threat.