Comments on: Free Radicals http://www.thehypermodern.com/2008/05/11/free-radicals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=free-radicals Culture and politics on both sides of the Pacific. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:28:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: George Ding http://www.thehypermodern.com/2008/05/11/free-radicals/comment-page-1/#comment-44 George Ding Wed, 21 May 2008 02:50:36 +0000 http://www.thehypermodern.com/?p=51#comment-44 There is nothing intrinsically wrong with nationalism. And I agree that China shouldn't keep silent in the face of biased reports in the Western media. But I, and the author of the IHT article, caution against getting swept away in the flood of nationalist sentiment, or the zeitgeist, or whatever you'd like to call it. A similar feeling of patriotism and nationalism and pride was present after the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Through some careful maneuvering by the government, the U.S. is now engaged in two neverending wars. There is nothing wrong with nationalism, but it is potentially a tool to be harnessed and wielded by those in power. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with nationalism. And I agree that China shouldn’t keep silent in the face of biased reports in the Western media. But I, and the author of the IHT article, caution against getting swept away in the flood of nationalist sentiment, or the zeitgeist, or whatever you’d like to call it. A similar feeling of patriotism and nationalism and pride was present after the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Through some careful maneuvering by the government, the U.S. is now engaged in two neverending wars. There is nothing wrong with nationalism, but it is potentially a tool to be harnessed and wielded by those in power.

]]> By: anita http://www.thehypermodern.com/2008/05/11/free-radicals/comment-page-1/#comment-41 anita Mon, 19 May 2008 03:53:57 +0000 http://www.thehypermodern.com/?p=51#comment-41 Thanks for the article, George. As a Chinese, I must admit the author offers a very insightful and comprehensive analysis about the root cause of the nationalism in China. Also I share your views about the distinctions between the nationalisms and patriotism; I agree the latter is absolutely more constructive. But I do NOT agree with the article’s view about the disastrous effect of the seemingly extreme nationalism. On the contrary, I think it would be precisely a fiasco for China if all Chinese keep silent or too self-controlled at the provocation. China is not Yugoslavia. Well, Swiss, I envy their pastoral life. But it is not a good example for the discussion about the nationalisms because of its special neutral status. Thanks for the article, George. As a Chinese, I must admit the author offers a very insightful and comprehensive analysis about the root cause of the nationalism in China. Also I share your views about the distinctions between the nationalisms and patriotism; I agree the latter is absolutely more constructive. But I do NOT agree with the article’s view about the disastrous effect of the seemingly extreme nationalism. On the contrary, I think it would be precisely a fiasco for China if all Chinese keep silent or too self-controlled at the provocation. China is not Yugoslavia.
Well, Swiss, I envy their pastoral life. But it is not a good example for the discussion about the nationalisms because of its special neutral status.

]]> By: Yulin Zhuang http://www.thehypermodern.com/2008/05/11/free-radicals/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Yulin Zhuang Mon, 12 May 2008 02:03:24 +0000 http://www.thehypermodern.com/?p=51#comment-40 I would also like to point out, as our anonymous contributor did in her article earlier, that there is a difference between Patriotism and Nationalism. Patriotism is pride in your country, loving your country. It means liking your country despite any problems it might have. Nationalism is the competitive form--it is concerned more with how your country is better than others and making sure other people respect your country. I often make the distinction that to be proud of your country does not necessarily mean that your country must be powerful. The Swiss are very proud of their country, and they do it without having to resort to being an economic giant or a military superpower. I would also like to point out, as our anonymous contributor did in her article earlier, that there is a difference between Patriotism and Nationalism. Patriotism is pride in your country, loving your country. It means liking your country despite any problems it might have. Nationalism is the competitive form–it is concerned more with how your country is better than others and making sure other people respect your country.

I often make the distinction that to be proud of your country does not necessarily mean that your country must be powerful. The Swiss are very proud of their country, and they do it without having to resort to being an economic giant or a military superpower.

]]> By: George Ding http://www.thehypermodern.com/2008/05/11/free-radicals/comment-page-1/#comment-39 George Ding Sun, 11 May 2008 02:28:44 +0000 http://www.thehypermodern.com/?p=51#comment-39 A keen observation Anita. I forgot to make the point that there <em>is</em> a healthy form of nationalism. I am proud to be Chinese. I am proud to be an American. But I remain critical of both countries. The helpful kind of nationalism (perhaps you could call it patriotism, but Americans sometimes give that a bad name) is the desire to do well by your country. The unhelpful brand of nationalism, I think, is when citizens lose objectivity and love their country for other reasons, for example, out of a hatred for the West, or to defend China against attacks from Western media. The International Herald Tribune has a very well-written article about these two kinds of nationalism, what they call "an aggrieved, defensive nationalism" and a "confident and proud nationalism," so I won't babble any longer and simply direct you to that. (<a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/05/opinion/edshambaugh.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Link</a>) Thanks for reading =) A keen observation Anita. I forgot to make the point that there is a healthy form of nationalism. I am proud to be Chinese. I am proud to be an American. But I remain critical of both countries. The helpful kind of nationalism (perhaps you could call it patriotism, but Americans sometimes give that a bad name) is the desire to do well by your country. The unhelpful brand of nationalism, I think, is when citizens lose objectivity and love their country for other reasons, for example, out of a hatred for the West, or to defend China against attacks from Western media. The International Herald Tribune has a very well-written article about these two kinds of nationalism, what they call “an aggrieved, defensive nationalism” and a “confident and proud nationalism,” so I won’t babble any longer and simply direct you to that. (Link) Thanks for reading =)

]]> By: anita http://www.thehypermodern.com/2008/05/11/free-radicals/comment-page-1/#comment-38 anita Sun, 11 May 2008 02:07:26 +0000 http://www.thehypermodern.com/?p=51#comment-38 Almost every person is more or less nationalist, for better or worse. True cosmopolitans or globalists are very, very rare. Almost every person is more or less nationalist, for better or worse.
True cosmopolitans or globalists are very, very rare.

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