Types of nationalism

Max Sawicky sawicky at bellatlantic.net
Wed Aug 1 13:09:25 PDT 2001


At 06:01 PM 07/29/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>If, on the other hand, you support a
>particular nationalism on the grounds that
>peoples *in general* have a *right* to be free
>from foreign domination, then you are obliged
>to support all nationalisms, not just the ones
>the U.S. opposes.

But it WAS foreign domination that gave political zionists their state. Would there be an Israel without England and the United States? Joanna B.

yes and it was 'foreign' domination that inspired the creation of the state in the first place, in the form of suppression -- unto extermination -- of fundamental rights of self-determination for European jewry.

As with all nationalisms, almost every fish implies a little fish and big fish in comparison -- potential objects and sources of oppression. That's what nationalism is. When a socialist buys into a nationalism, she hopes the decision is justified by the threat of the big fish, more than the danger to the little.

As to your latter statement, the answer is probably not. Which raises the interesting question, was the need for self-determination in the form of a 'homeland' in Palestine sufficient justification for Zionists to proceed in alliance w/the U.S. & England. Put another way, how would your Jewish ancestors feel about being obliged to stay in the old country after 1945?

mbs



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