nationalism: definition of nationalism in Oxford dictionary (British & World English) I am a slave to the Oxford dictionary
To me, nationalism is when a people overly praise their country for the good they perceive their nation to do, but refuse to acknowledge their nations wrongdoings.
Depends. Usually, I'd define it loosely as the belief that one's nation is superior to others, or that the success of one's nation is of greater concern that morality or human rights. A definition that I've heard, and can't quite bloody remember, is that nationalism is the belief that nationhood is a foundation for statehood. Or something.
Like a fanboy getting defensive about what he's a fanboy of: "My idol is perfect in every way. There is no flaw, and nobody else is better" It's the same with a nation: "My country is perfect in every way. There is no flaw, and nobody else is better"
My definition of nationalism is quite similar to Mr. Albert Einstein's: "Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind."
Being proud of your nation, your national culture and doing what's best for it, defending it without causing harm to other nations.
percise definitions are rarely ever universal. the way some Westerners snidely dismiss nationalism is a little troublesome, especially because it can be important in 3rd world communities regaining a sense of national identity to overthrow oppressive systems. that said, nationalism when practiced by bald headed white dudes in the West will almost always be racist and awful, just don't discount it for disenfranchised oppressed peoples who don't have other means of forming a common identity in the face of oppression.
