Curses of Culture: Aggressive nationalism

A sense of being part of a larger community than family, clan, tribe, or ethnicity can be a very good thing when it binds people together in pursuit of a common good. That is why nation-states arose at the time of the industrial revolution. In the USA, it is important for us to believe that we are pursuing a common goal of democracy, promotion of the common good, justice, protection, etc. That is appropriate nationalism.

However, the attitudes, "my national right or wrong" or 'America first and to hell with the rest" are expressions of aggressive nationalism destructive to all. It leads nations to seek conquest, domination of others, exploitation of external "others". Aggressive nationalism has led to many wars, the loss of many millions of lives, vast destruction and the collapse of countries. Yet, that is the path promoted today in the USA by Trump, the Alt Right and other white supremacists. We CANNOT allow their ideology to dominate our country!!

The best preventative actions to put stifle aggressive nationalism are (1) a totally free press, (2) a completely independent judiciary acting on constitutional, and ethical principles -- not ideology, (3) an educational system which teachers critical thin and independent thinking, ( a community of vocal activists willing to hold in power or seeking power to the highest standards of conduct promoting democracy and the public good. We CANNOT let Trump and his cohorts destroy these things!