1547 Nationalism

The word “nationalist” is thrown around a lot by the Left as a pejorative. It doesn’t resonate as much as calling people you don’t agree with a “Fascist,” but has the same vibe because nationalism is part of Fascism, as much as socialism is, hence the word “Nazi” derived from combining the two words in German. Nationalism is a very insidious form of socialism because at first they seem opposite of one another, when in reality, nationalism is the same thing but wrapped in a flag. Some people in the U.S. might even consider themselves nationalists because they conflate it with patriotism. They can be lauded for their intent because patriotism is an essential part of liberty, but nationalism is not compatible with liberty. Nationalism is country first, meaning that people would be forced to do what’s in the best interest of the state, which could conflict with their personal liberty. In the extreme case, where everyone’s liberty is threatened, as in the case of war, the state’s need may be paramount. However, short of war, the state should not interfere with the personal autonomy of its population except in instances that create the most liberty for the most people. Unfortunately, since most people don’t actually know what liberty is: making decisions for yourself and reaping the rewards or suffering the consequences, they’re not aware that nationalism interferes with that.