Nationalism inside out: an ethical review

Abstract

The roles that nationalism has played in modern history are highly controversial. While the growing literature on the subject has offered refined empirical analyses, it leaves major ethical inquiries out of the picture. This paper fills the void by examining the prevalence of nationalism through the lens of a fundamental philosophical divide between communal particularity and human universality. I first discuss the tension between moral/cultural relativism and liberal internationalism to understand the crux of the ‘nationalism problem’; and then I move to consider the bright and dark sides of nationalism with reference to its historical manifestations so as to explore its potentials as a constructive force in future political life. I argue that nationalism is a response to the ambiguous normative underpinnings of the world system. It seeks to come to terms with the fragmentation of politics caused by the diversification of social values. As a living concept, nationalism continues to evolve with new trends of modern life. This research looks beyond the scope of national politics to examine the ‘nationalism problem’. To reify nationalism as a fixed set of extremist doctrines and practices risks undermining the international society’s capabilities to engage nationalistic events wisely and creatively.