Nationalism as a source for equality

Nationalism has many different faces. It can occur as a very aggressive and destructive ideology, but in its milder forms also as a source for equality. Nationalism can enable people in a society to overthrow borders that divide them based on their belonging to different ethnic or religious groups, social classes, castes, etc. It can enable citizens of a nation-state to regard other citizens as part of their own community and evoke a feeling of solidarity between them. It can transform social enemies in a society to brothers and sisters. Nationalism makes it possible that all citizens enjoy the same rights based on their citizenship and not on their social or economic position. 

Some may argue that even milder forms of nationalism propagate hostility and violence towards other nations while at the same time advocating solidarity between their own people. But historically, nationalisms that have been aggressive towards other nations, have also been violent towards their own citizens by not tolerating any political or cultural diversity and freedoms. Vice versa, nationalisms that have aimed to reach equality between their citizens, have also sought friendly relations with other nations. Nazi-Germany is a good example for the first case, India for the second. 

However, it cannot be denied that even milder forms of nationalism put their own nation first, and potentially regard other nations as enemies. In a crisis, milder forms of nationalism can suddenly (and easily) transform themselves into aggressive ones, like for example in former Yugoslavia. Despite this tendency, nationalism can be a step forward towards global solidarity. If we do not learn how to respect people of our own nation, how could we be able to respect ‘foreigners’?  

The death of nationalism would mean the death of the nation-state. It is ideal to live in a world where there are no borders, but how realistic is this vision today, and what are the alternatives to nation-states in the current world?

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