Nationalism as I See It Essay Example

nationalism will always promote extreme actions when conflicting powers clash. A nationalist perspective today dominates the world.

The proponents of nationalism would argue that only through their ideology could the world achieve economic and social success. Nationalism balances global power ultimately resulting in peace. Nationalism allows for self-determination of ethnic groups, and cultural diversity. Competition between nations results in innovation of technology and scientific discoveries. Nationalism appears beneficial, but we must fully embrace the antinationalist perspective presented in the source by Albert Einstein; for nationalism will eventually be humanity’s downfall.

Einstein viewed nationalism as a simplistic theory, similar to Newtonian physics, whereas antinationalism would be comparable to his Theory of Relativity. He explained that nationalism is a juvenile way of thinking, and a disease that must be eradicated. He dreamt of a peaceful world, built around kindness, beauty, and truth. These three tenets are the only means of “true art and true science. ” Antinationalism creates a world community without racism, war, and petty differences between cultures. This allows mankind to move forward, as a whole.

More time would be spent on perfecting the fields of art and science and evermore advancing the human race. Nationalism creates a sense of competition and hostility between countries. “We have to prevent war, for if we cannot prevent war every nation will use every means that is at their disposal; and in spite of all promises they make, they will do it. At the same time, so long as war is not prevented, all governments of nations have to prepare for war, and if you have to prepare for war, then you are in a

state where you cannot abolish war. Einstein wrote in the New York Times Magazine in 1946. He believed that mankind must abolish war at all costs, and that a nationalistic point of view must be of secondary importance. Einstein believed that antinationalism would allow for individuality, creativity, and freethinking. As one of the greatest physicists of all time, and a fine amateur pianist and violinist, Einstein said, “The greatest scientists are artists as well. ” One must find simple ways to introduce creativity into one’s life. For Einstein, his discoveries did not come from mathematics or logic.

It was discovered as it is for artists, through inspiration and intuition. We can apply Einstein’s ideas to our daily lives if we embrace an antinationalist perspective. He thought this would allow us to achieve the most valuable thing in human life, sentient individuality. A global society that develops the tenets of antinationalism would thrive, principally because they would coexist peacefully with one another. Nationalism is the underlying reason for many global problems today. Einstein described nationalism as, “A plague of civilization that ought to be abolished with all possible speed.

Nationalists how passionately I hate them! ” Einstein is correct; global issues such as global warming, poverty, famine, and disease cannot be solved when approached with a nationalist perspective. People must be global citizens. We must approach global issues with a humanitarian point of view and create a sense of kinship for all people. George Orwell, an English novelist and journalist, said “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. Einstein and Orwell both believed nationalism would inevitably lead to conflict between nation states. Orwell goes further to say that nationalist movements are purely negative. This condition is called an “Orwellian world” identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free and open society. “Nationalism is inseparable from the desire for power” according to Orwell. The problem with nationalism is that it places its well being beyond good or evil, and recognizes no other duty than advancing its interests. Einstein lived during a time where nationalism threatened the well being of the planet, and the future of mankind.

The source outlines his feelings on nationalism describing it as common, infantile, and highly contagious. We must fully embrace the perspective reflected in the source. We must pursue Einstein’s three tenets: kindness, beauty, and truth. We need to be humanitarians beyond our borders, because we are all brothers in this world. As a collective, we must abolish petty differences, racism, and war, to avoid creating an Orwellian World driven by competition. The only way to further advance mankind is to leave nationalism behind, and create a new world based on global citizenship.