I lived in another country for a few years when I was a child, and unless an American has lived somewhere where actual martial law exists, or regular terrorism, etc. then I take any heavy-handed criticism of present-day United States with a grain of salt.
Speaking of national anthems, every time Max Verstappen wins an F1 race (I'm a fan of F1) I groan because the Netherlands has a super long anthem. Which I have just learned is...wait for it...an acrostic poem for William of Orange. Wow. Meanwhile, the French national anthem is, shall we say, grim. Are you familiar with the English translation?
Maybe the reason Americans don't learn other languages is so that we can ignore other national anthems. Instead of hearing "we're going to cut your throats you sons of bitches" we hear "croissant, croissant, hehe hognhogn."
"Historically, people joined armies for five reasons: 1) Money, 2) Plunder, 3) Feudal obligations, 4) Religious fervor, 5) To get off this goddamned farm any way possible (number five is the great underappreciated driver of human history)."
I would add a sixth and thoroughly modern reason: (6) I am poor and the government will give me lots of free stuff if I join the military (room & board, health care, travel, education, etc.).
Just subscribed. Found this after reading your Persuasion piece, which was most excellent (I read snippets aloud to my spouse)! This piece is great too.
Benign nationalism basically says 'our country does some things better than others, not as a matter of fact, but as a matter of us being better than them inherently'. If you were only stating these points of national identity as a matter of fact, there wouldn't be a sense of pride and need for celebration over these facts. These attitudes only exist because countries are in competition with one another, even if it feels like your celebration is small, closed in scope, and has nothing to do with anyone else.
I can get how attacking people's national identity is bad for winning elections, but since 2016 that sort of fear is built into every decision liberals seem to make, and has no bearing on the actual correctness of decisions. I think even petty nationalism is stupid, for the same reasons it has always been stupid: we shouldn't base the value of people on dice rolls. If open borders are implemented and anyone can become a citizen for free, maybe i'll let America and Japan celebrate their cheeseburgers and anime. It would maybe make sense at that point.
I agree up to a point, Jeff, but would argue that when national identity largely subsumes individual identity, you get wacko thinking and behavior. See Eric Hoffer's "The True Believer."
I lived in another country for a few years when I was a child, and unless an American has lived somewhere where actual martial law exists, or regular terrorism, etc. then I take any heavy-handed criticism of present-day United States with a grain of salt.
Speaking of national anthems, every time Max Verstappen wins an F1 race (I'm a fan of F1) I groan because the Netherlands has a super long anthem. Which I have just learned is...wait for it...an acrostic poem for William of Orange. Wow. Meanwhile, the French national anthem is, shall we say, grim. Are you familiar with the English translation?
Maybe the reason Americans don't learn other languages is so that we can ignore other national anthems. Instead of hearing "we're going to cut your throats you sons of bitches" we hear "croissant, croissant, hehe hognhogn."
First article I read here, definitely going to read more and subscribe.
Also discovered through Persuasion and subscribed. This is a treasure trove.
"Historically, people joined armies for five reasons: 1) Money, 2) Plunder, 3) Feudal obligations, 4) Religious fervor, 5) To get off this goddamned farm any way possible (number five is the great underappreciated driver of human history)."
I would add a sixth and thoroughly modern reason: (6) I am poor and the government will give me lots of free stuff if I join the military (room & board, health care, travel, education, etc.).
Just subscribed. Found this after reading your Persuasion piece, which was most excellent (I read snippets aloud to my spouse)! This piece is great too.
Great article, Jeff. You’ve fine your homework with history here.
Benign nationalism basically says 'our country does some things better than others, not as a matter of fact, but as a matter of us being better than them inherently'. If you were only stating these points of national identity as a matter of fact, there wouldn't be a sense of pride and need for celebration over these facts. These attitudes only exist because countries are in competition with one another, even if it feels like your celebration is small, closed in scope, and has nothing to do with anyone else.
I can get how attacking people's national identity is bad for winning elections, but since 2016 that sort of fear is built into every decision liberals seem to make, and has no bearing on the actual correctness of decisions. I think even petty nationalism is stupid, for the same reasons it has always been stupid: we shouldn't base the value of people on dice rolls. If open borders are implemented and anyone can become a citizen for free, maybe i'll let America and Japan celebrate their cheeseburgers and anime. It would maybe make sense at that point.
Speaking of war without the shooting: https://youtu.be/cOeFhSzoTuc
Wow this was a good read
I agree up to a point, Jeff, but would argue that when national identity largely subsumes individual identity, you get wacko thinking and behavior. See Eric Hoffer's "The True Believer."
“Fine” should be DONE. Damn spell check☹️