Thread by @MatthewWolfff

This week, Trump declared to the world that he is a nationalist. He likely doesn’t understand what that means, but many Americans reacted in horror, with good reason.

The right articulates nationalist views in the context of anti-globalism. What do these terms mean?
A thread. /1

Nationalism is not the same as patriotism. Patriotism is a sense of pride in one’s country, and a fellowship with one’s countryman, and acting in their benefit.

Nationalism is a perpetuation of fear and hatred of those outside of your perceived racial and cultural identity.
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Nationalists do not recognize all who reside within the borders of their nation as fellow nationals. Nationalism includes the idea of “blood and soil,” the idea that a nation belongs to one particular racial and cultural identity, and others don’t belong. It is racism.
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Nationalism is an philosophy of the most evil people in the world: Nazis, Klansmen, white nationalists, and racists are nationalists.

Nationalism is a tool of totalitarians. Totalitarian power is generated and maintained through fear of an enemy, an other. /4

Populations are lured into giving up personal freedoms through escalation of fear and hatred of the perceived enemy. The enemy becomes a scapegoat for the problems in society, removing blame for poor management from those in power. /5

Fear and hatred of the enemy/other is directed not only externally, but also internally, usually towards marginalized populations within. The jews in Nazi Germany. In America today, immigrants, Muslims, LGBT people, and even women seeking to enhance their status in society. /6

Nationalism is incompatible with the American ideal. America is a nation of immigrants and displaced natives. The only group with any legitimate claim to “blood and soil” is the already marginalized native population.

Nationalism = sick fantasy in today’s world & un-American. /7

The founding fathers declared that all men were created equal, endowed with the rights to life, liberty, &the pursuit of happiness. Many today miss this point, imagining the protections of the Constitution are only available to US citizens. They are, in fact, for all people. /8

America has never lived up to it’s ideals, but it’s history is one of striving, if often too slowly, to get closer and closer.

Nationalism rejects this ideal, it rejects what America is. Not a nation of “blood and soil,” but one in common purpose striving towards equality. /9

So what is globalization, the boogeyman of nationalists, and some on the left? They imagine an ideology that can be rejected, a transactional view that by participating in a global community, we diminish ourselves. They miss-understand the nature of the modern world. /10

Globalism is an unavoidable consequence of the technological advancement in communications and travel of today.

As long as we operate in a system of markets, it is unavoidable that our market is linked to the other markets of the world. To withdraw IS to diminish. /11

There are problems with globalism, to be sure, but you do not eliminate them by withdrawing, you only exacerbate them. We are dependent on the goods and materials provided by other markets to power the engine of our own economy. /12

The solution to improving our own circumstances lie in improving those of the other. We lose jobs through trade packs because labor is cheap in other markets, but we need trade with those markets. Labor, and thus, value for human life, must be lifted in all markets. /13

Remember this when you think that TPP, or NAFTA are bad for Americans. The global market continues with or without America. If America withdraws, we diminish not only our own economy, but we allow lesser, more oppressive nations to fill the vacuum of American leadership. /14

The GOP is willing to allow America to diminish as long as the rich remain powerful. They are beholden to the worst dictators of the world, because their fortunes are tied to them financially. They use nationalism to fool the ignorant to keep them in power. /15

Farmers suffer from GOP imposed trade wars. Manufacturers face rising costs of materials. Jobs are lost, & our economy is tightening.

The GOP base is cowed, imagining imminent danger from the enemy/other.

You must take a stand against this futility.

On Nov 6: #BeAVoter
/End