Nationalism arose with fervor in the 19th Century and has been promoted rhetorically in politics to evoke feelings of unity, solidarity, and pride. It’s also been asserted in divisive ways as a claim to superiority. In our country references to “American Exceptionalism” and aroused chants of “USA, USA …” in political rallies are common. We proudly claim to be a self-made nation of immigrants. What makes us exceptional, then, would seem to be the way we implemented the ideal of a constitutionally based representative democracy.
But our constitution is not fully original to us. It is shaped from ideas and values born of the European Enlightenment and beyond that by Western Civilization with its origins in ancient Greece and Rome. Part of what has given our nation the feeling of being new and different is that it makes a point of separating religious authority from civil and secular authority. Our man-made laws are based upon values and principles rationally articulated in natural law theory in our United States Constitution. That’s why some will say America is really an idea.
In the 20th Century, we have witnessed how nationalism can become malignant. Fascism in Spain, Italy, and most tragically in Germany is evidence of what happens when nationalism becomes a tyranny of tribalism and authoritarian rule. We also witnessed how international alliances among like-minded Western democracies served to ensure our survival. And ever since, it’s been our collective capabilities that have protected our sovereignty as nations. It takes a village, a network of allies, whether in a small town or a global community, to thrive.
An America-First attitude and policy orientation, like that Trump has advocated in his first term and as he starts his second term, makes no sense economically, culturally, or morally. In fact, it would seem that as world population and climate-change issues grow, we will need even stronger, more multifaceted alliances in the years ahead. The old assumptions that self-interest, competition, and market forces will magically solve these problems is delusional. And alienating our allies at this time is exactly the wrong strategy.
There is no safe retreat to some mythical golden age in America. Our nation’s true history is one of trying to realize the ideals of our Constitution. Dispossessing indigenous peoples, enslaving blacks, and approaching immigration issues with bigotry rather than practical solutions reveal our imperfections as a people. How about we face the facts? We do not have a monopoly on good ideas as political partisans or as partners in our key international alliances. Those who divide us to get elected are not worthy of being the leaders we need.
I would hope that we might all, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, and Business leaders and Union leaders could awaken to the fact that we are at an inflection point. It is one that requires all of us to insist that our leaders in Congress, the Executive branch, the Judicial branch, and the Fourth Estate do the right thing. It’s time to objectively define the issues and rationally generate solution strategies. These are the abilities that differentiate us as a species and best qualify us to be effective agents of moral and political action.
