Single Idea 23131

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 14. Nationalism]

Full Idea

The patriot loves his place and its cheeses; …the nationalist has not particular affection for the place, but employs his obsessive sense of encirclement and grievance on behalf of acts of ethnic vengeance.

Gist of Idea

Patriots love their place, but nationalists have a paranoid ethnic hostility

Source

Adam Gopnik (A Thousand Small Sanities [2019], 2)

Book Reference

Gopnik,Adam: 'A Thousand Small Sanities' [riverrun 2019], p.100


A Reaction

'Vengeance' seems a bit strong. John Le Carré said nationalists are distinguished by the need to have enemies. Russia is particularly obsessed with 'encirclement'.