Nationalism: the Beginning of the End

Nationalism: The Beginning of the End There is a difference between loving one’s country and inflicting your beliefs to other people or country. Believing that one’s country is superior over another or trying to influence another nation to be like yours is nationalism. It is very dangerous and can lead to war between countries. Many countries are and have been affected by nationalism like Australia, and Most of Northern Europe. Nationalism is still effective today, all over the world and in the US. Loyalty to a country should still be moral and rational, asinine people take it to its extremities. Like Albert Camus once said, “I should like to be able to love my country and still love justice.”
Nationalism is an extreme form of a patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts, especially marked by a feeling of superiority over other countries. Nationalism should not be confused with patriotism. Patriotism is the love for one’s country and willingness to sacrifice for it, not to the extent where they wish to force it upon other people. It is an assertion that nationalism has a negative effect on society because it gives people the reason to act against the rational. The 1900s was “characterized by bloody warfare, economic disruptions and misery primarily for one reason: nationalism” (Raised by Republicans). It puts people in the mindset that their country is better than all others and “it breeds narrow minds, hate, and violence”. Australia was a victim of Nationalism during the 19th century. The first British colonists in 1788 wanted to bring the British traditions to Australia and preserve it. They brought animals and crops from Europe to try and make Australia the closest replica of Britain. Australia was originally a penal colony for convicts. Eventually the convicts had done their time in prison, and they became free settlers. By 1830, the population of free settlers exceeded the number of convicts. “Ex-convicts later became known as emancipists... Aside from