The concept of nationalism in the Western world has developed in the 19th century as an underlying fundamental ideology of free market democracies.
It replaced previous allegiances to kings, cities, churches and classes, and created political communities of modern nation-states of people who obey the same laws, share common institutions, economy and social space within a given territory, with which they identify and to which they feel they belong. In its original civic form, nationalism binds together people who live in the same geographical area, bridges gaps between classes, religious affiliations, races and ethnicities, and inspires people to work towards a common good of their country.
Although nationalism is essential for the functioning of modern democracy, it can easily be subverted into a much more exclusive type that emphasizes ancestry, race, culture, ethnic heritage, and sometimes religious affiliation. Instead of including all people in a given territory, this type of nationalism defines friends and enemies, and fosters a mentality of “us” versus “them.” Those considered outsiders are excluded from the political process, they are viewed as inferior, and they are gradually dehumanized. When this extreme form of nationalism takes root and national identity is overemphasized – overshadowing all other identities – we see the rise of ethnic marginalization, ethnic disputes, extreme anti-immigration measures, ethnic suppression, and in some cases war.
The rise of an extreme and exclusive nationalism in the beginning of the 20th century was one of the root causes of the First World War. The subsequent overemphasis of ancestry, ethnicity and race gave birth to the most devastating Nazi regimes in Germany, Spain and Italy, paving the way towards the Second World War. After the victory of the Allied forces and the establishment of the United Nations, the original model of civic nationalism was promoted not only for defeated Germany, but also for all emerging nations around the world that were liberated from colonial structures during the 20th century and especially in the post-war period.
Some countries were able to embrace this inclusive type of nationalism, but many fell victim to an exclusive nationalism that revolved around race, ethnicity or religion. Such countries later engaged in protracted civil wars (including Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo), racial discrimination (the Apartheid government in South Africa), and genocide and ethnic cleansing (Rwanda, Cambodia). The rise of ethnic nationalism in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union was also the root cause of the devastating Yugoslav conflict and the Chechen wars in the 1990s.
Despite worldwide international efforts to promote a more inclusive concept of civic nationalism around the world, ethnic nationalistic tendencies have penetrated even countries founded on the principles of civic nationalism. Such tendencies are manifested in the rise of neo-Nazi groups and white extremists in Western Europe and the United States, in the electoral victories of nationalistic parties in Poland, Hungary and Brazil, in the efforts to pursue extreme anti-immigrant policies in Europe and America, and in movements towards the rejection of supra-national institutions such as the United Nations or World Health Organization.
This weakening of international institutions is most visible in Great Britain, which is struggling to exit the European Union, and in the United States, which is questioning the usefulness of the NATO alliance.
It is particularly this type of exclusive, dangerous and destructive form of nationalism that Pope Francis warned about at his annual “State of the World” speech to diplomats at the beginning of this year. He pointed out the consequences of nationalist and populist governments that weaken international relationships and turn away from international law and institutions. Without a legal framework and supra-national institutions, the international system becomes a complete anarchy in which the strong oppress the weak and important global issues such as migration, climate change and poverty cannot be addressed effectively.
It is imperative that the world once again makes efforts to turn away from the destructiveness of exclusive ethnic nationalism. Many world leaders, including our Holy Father, are well aware of this problem and are advocating for change. But turning away from ethnic nationalism and embracing civic nationalism will be difficult to accomplish as a top-down-only approach. It is equally important that citizens become aware of this problem and make an effort to consciously embrace the civic idea of a nation – one that is inclusive of all people regardless of race, ethnic origin or religious affiliation. This civic national identity will enable us to return to the original motto of this country “E pluribus unum” (“Out of many one”); to overcome fear of people who are different; to devise a functioning, fair and humane immigration system; and to renew our trust in international institutions so that global issues can be addressed for the benefit of all.
Dr. Kamila Valenta is a member of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte and a part-time professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she teaches courses on ethnic conflict.