As a term, nationalism is almost always used in a negative connotation. In modern era, it is most often defined as an ideology or political movement that promotes unity of the nation, its interests, rights or political goals, understanding of the common past, as well as the relations with other nations and states, that is, its collective identity. Although in the beginning it was synonymous with the development of democracy and liberalism, it later developed also in an extremely negative direction.
In order to understand the meaning of the term nationalism and how to interpret it, it is necessary to make a brief historical outline of the events, which are closely related to its emergence, and are the product of certain cultural and political changes in Europe (France, England, Spain) in the XVIII century.
BEGINNINGS: NATIONALISM AS A SYNONYM FOR LIBERAL DEMOCRACY AND OVERTHROW OF ABSOLUTISM
Nationalism became a synonym for the development of democracy and liberalism, and contributed to the overthrow of the then absolute power of the monarch and the abolition of legal inequality and uncertainty, self-will and oppression.
That classical nationalism, which according to its elements was far from ideal, was necessary for the disintegration of feudalism and the autocratic rule of the monarch.
The affirmation of the idea of forming a single society based on a social agreement, could have been achieved only through the formation of the nation as a social community, on the territory of the national state.
THE TWO FACES OF NATIONALISM
However, the primary idea of this nationalism, which had emerged as a result of the constructive and well-intended impulses of man, split into two directions.
The first direction is the one according to which nationalism is presented as a necessary step towards building a cosmopolitan society (in science known as civic nationalism), in which equality of all citizens is stressed even more, regardless of cultural, religious, ethnic, linguistic affiliation, and citizens are legally bound in one legal system (citizenship), whereby the name of the nation is identical with the name of the state.
Such nationalism is an integral part of most modern, liberal societies, and social values in that spirit are protected by a social agreement (constitution).
According to the second direction, nationalism appears as a form of collective (national) awareness, in which concept the diversities between nations are highlighted, whereby, one nation is always presented as superior to the others, with the manifestations of prejudices, constant humiliation and belittling of cultural features and characteristics of other nations.
Nationalism also encourages the effort to show a selfish, aggressive and intolerant attitude of a nation towards economic, social, cultural and political interests of other nations, by excluding or eliminating them, for the purpose of realizing one’s own interests.
EXTREME NATIONALISM
The most dramatic form of nationalism is the one that strives for simple physical liquidation or total enslavement of other ethnicities, contesting their rights, national identity and statehood, either within the existing multinational community or outside of it. In general, nationalism is tied to different ideologies, starting from liberal to socialist to fascist.
Today nationalism is used as a tool by those who exploit it for their own egotistic purposes, which leads to disunity within society itself and the creation of mutual intolerance.
Nationalism as a phenomenon contains elements of discrimination, disregard for human rights, freedoms, equality and democracy.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations, Article 1, stipulates:
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”.
Nationalism is evil. The fight against that evil is a civic duty and obligation of all without exception. Everyone should influence the taking of measures, against those who inflict evil on the social being and harm its development, health, reputation and ideal of human rights, and because they radiate an energy that has a negative charge, they represent an open threat that leads to social and political decadence, religious and democratic incompatibility, general-human ethic, moral and sociological disgust and cultural repulsion. (Natasha Malinka Minovska, August 8, 2021, Green Reader, Skopje 2022)
Translated by: N. Cvetkovska
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The content is part of the large regional initiative to mark the Western Balkans Circular Economy Week (27-31 May, 2024) under the motto “Sustainable Bridge: Unite, Uplift, Upcycle”, which is implemented by the LogEx regional network, where CIVIL is a member, at the initiative of the reputable think-tank organization Balkan Forum from Kosovo, and with the support of Rockefeller Brothers Fund of the United States.
