Patriotism or Nationalism

the AZEL PERSPECTIVE Commentary on Cuba's Future, U.S. Foreign Policy & Individual Freedoms - Issue 169

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Patriotism is that majestic feeling that brings tears to our eyes. I have felt it, while placing flags at gravesides in Arlington National Cemetery, as a bugler played Taps. I have felt it, walking in somber gratitude, at the Normandy American Cemetery in France, which honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II. I have felt it, in Independence Day rodeos in Montana, where a young woman carries the American flag around the arena, horseback at full gallop, while the National Anthem is played. I have felt it, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I have felt it, in ceremonies standing at military attention with the aging Cuban heroes of the Brigade 2506 -who carried out the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion landing in Cuba- as we struggle singing the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner. And then, as we effortlessly intone the words of the Cuban National Anthem memorized in our youth.  I have felt, it reading in English Thomas Jefferson’s beautiful prose in the Declaration of Independence and, reading in Spanish, José Marti’s Versos Sencillos (Simple Verses). Patriotism is best defined as love and devotion to a homeland, and a sense of alliance with other citizens who share the same values. It is a love and devotion I feel for both, my place of birth, and the country that, nearly six decades ago, welcomed me as a 13 year-old political exile. But, patriotism is related to, and shares ideals with, a more problematic concept: nationalism. The two words are often used as synonyms. They are not. George Orwell, in his forceful essay “Notes on Nationalism” offers a coherent distinction: “Nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism… By ‘patriotism’ I mean devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force upon other people. Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally. Nationalism, on the other hand, is inseparable from the desire for power. The abiding purpose of every nationalist is to secure more power and more prestige, not for himself, but for the nation or other unit in which he has chosen to sink his own individuality.” In other words, patriotism is primarily a feeling. Nationalism goes beyond; it exalts one nation above all others, and seeks power and prestige by projecting a national identity based on shared social characteristics, such as culture, language, religion, or political beliefs. But, nationalism takes a nasty turn when it takes the chauvinistic form of believing that a state should be reserved only for those sharing those sociopolitical and ethnic characteristics.  As such, jingoistic nationalism transforms patriotism into a posture of superiority and aggression toward other nations. For example, that kind of nationalism was central to Hitler’s philosophy, and also led to the Japanese invasion of China in 1937. Today, in the Ukrainian conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin is a nationalist imperialist, and the Ukrainian protesters are patriots. Patriotism is essential to liberty, because pride in our nation, and the willingness to defend it, form the basis of national self-determination. In tandem with patriotism, nationalism has the virtue of being a strong force for unity, particularly in wartime. But, it must be added that, while nationalism can unite us, it often unites us against other people. Patriotism flows from the individual, nationalism focuses on the state. Patriotism is connected with admirable ideas such as bravery, valor, or duty, while nationalism is often associated with, unsavory sociopolitical movements such as white supremacy or anti-Semitism. Nationalism can mean different things to different people and, in the United States we seldom apply that label to ourselves. Instead, we adopt the much more benign form of “American exceptionalism.”  However, in other countries the term “nationalist” is favored, and often included, in some form, in the names of political parties. Finally, I will borrow the colloquial expression used by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart to acknowledge the problem of defining pornography:  Patriotism or nationalism, “I know it when I see it.” Please let us know if you  this article. We welcome your feedback. Abrazos,  Lily & José  (click on the name to email Lily or Jose) José Azel, Ph.D. José Azel left Cuba in 1961 as a 13 year-old political exile in what has been dubbed Operation Pedro Pan - the largest unaccompanied child refugee movement in the history of the Western Hemisphere. He is currently dedicated to the in-depth analyses of Cuba's economic, social and political state, with a keen interest in post-Castro-Cuba strategies. Formerly, a Senior Scholar at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies (ICCAS) at the University of Miami, Jose Azel has published extensively on Cuba related topics. In 2012 and 2015, Dr. Azel testified in the U.S. Congress on U.S.-Cuba Policy, and U.S. National Security.  He is a frequent speaker and commentator on these and related topics on local, national and international media.  He holds undergraduate and masters degrees in business administration and a Ph.D. in International Affairs from the University of Miami. José along with his wife Lily are avid skiers and adventure travelers.  In recent years they have climbed Grand Teton in Wyoming, trekked Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Machu Pichu in Peru.  They have also hiked in Tibet and in the Himalayas to Mt. Everest Base Camp. They cycled St. James Way (El Camino de Santiago de Compostela) and cycled alongside the Danube from Germany to Hungary. They have scuba dived in the Bay Islands off the Honduran coast and in the Galapagos Islands. Their adventurers are normally dedicated to raise funds for causes that are dear to them.  Watch Joe & Lily summit Kilimanjaro. Books by Dr. José Azel "Liberty for beginners is much more than what the title promises. It is eighty themes touched with the wisdom of a master, and the charm of an excellent communicator. Anyone that wishes to understand why countries do, or do not progress, will find in this book the best explanations. If it was in my power, this work would be required reading for all college and university students, and I would recommend its reading to politicians, journalists, and policymakers. With this book Azel accomplishes what was achieved in France by Frédéric Bastiat, and in the United States by Henry Hazlitt: brings together common sense with intelligent observation, and academic substance. Stupendous" Carlos Alberto Montaner Buy Now "Libertad para novatos es mucho más de lo que promete el título. Son ochenta temas tocados con la sabiduría de un maestro y la amenidad de un excelente comunicador. Cualquier adulto que desee saber por qué progresan o se estancan los pueblos aquí encontrará las mejores explicaciones. Si estuviera en mis manos, esta obra sería lectura obligatoria de todos los estudiantes, tanto de bachillerato como universitarios, pero, además, se la recomendaría a todos los políticos y periodistas, a todos los policy makers. Azel logra con este libro lo que Frédéric Bastiat consiguiera en Francia y Henry Hazlitt en Estados Unidos: aunar el sentido común, la observación inteligente y la enjundia académica. Estupendo." Carlos Alberto Montaner Compre Aqui In Reflections on Freedom, José Azel brings together a collection of his columns published in prestigious newspapers.  Each article reveals his heartfelt and personal awareness of the importance of freedom in our lives.  They are his reflections after nearly sixty years of living and learning as a Cuban outside Cuba. In what has become his stylistic trademark, Professor Azel brilliantly introduces complex topics in brief journalistic articles. Buy Now En Reflexiones sobre la libertad José Azel reúne una colección de sus columnas publicadas en prestigiosos periódicos. Cada artículo revela su percepción sincera y personal de la importancia de la libertad en nuestras vidas. Son sus reflexiones después de casi sesenta años viviendo y aprendiendo como cubano fuera de Cuba.  En lo que ha resultado ser característica distintiva de sus artículos, el Profesor Azel introduce con brillantez complejos temas en  breves artículos de carácter periodístico. Compre Aqui Mañana in Cuba is a comprehensive analysis of contemporary Cuba with an incisive perspective of the Cuban frame of mind and its relevancy for Cuba's future. Buy now Pedazos y Vacíos is a collection of poems written in by Dr. Azel in his youth. Poems are in Spanish. Buy now

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