Agree with all of this but also think nationalism/patriotism (at least in England) is implicitly a desire for a return to the days of empire. It's never put that way but the desire for a "return" to "greatness" is a desire to return to a world where Britain was a white island with colonies to exploit. Even if people don't explicitly call for it (or even know that's what they're missing) that seems to be the thing they yearn for.
Thanks for the reprint. Now we need to use this perspective for building a class-struggle campaign in Canada like https://drawtheline.world and providing a lead for unions away from "Elbows Up"
Thanks Luke, great piece. You write "To first state the obvious: nationalism and patriotism, now as ever, are a minefield for the socialist left," I don't think that's universally true. In Scotland a left nationalism has been a central part of the movement for self-determination and this is true in many parts of the world. I think the 'Britain' you refer to has largely disappeared and that is one of the things driving the current flag phenomenon.
There's a lot to admire about how Scot nationalism, but I don't think you have to look further then Humza Yousaf's time as First Minister to see minefields aplenty.
I’m a Canadian so feel free to tell me my head’s up my ass, but it seemed to me that Scottish nationalism (or maybe just the SNP) made a positive turn at some point in the 2000s to embrace a civic definition of national identity and embrace cultural diversity. That seemed to founder (a little) when it reached its logical conclusion and Scotland had a non-white and Muslim First Minister. Quebec nationalism in Canada has had similar challenges. Attempts to embrace diversity have now given way to some very ugly racism and a definition of national citizenship that prioritizes “secular identity” (ie. not Muslim).
Agree with all of this but also think nationalism/patriotism (at least in England) is implicitly a desire for a return to the days of empire. It's never put that way but the desire for a "return" to "greatness" is a desire to return to a world where Britain was a white island with colonies to exploit. Even if people don't explicitly call for it (or even know that's what they're missing) that seems to be the thing they yearn for.
Excellent work again, though…
Based on the history you’ve described:
The Gallagher brothers will soon be MBEs 😑
Thanks for the reprint. Now we need to use this perspective for building a class-struggle campaign in Canada like https://drawtheline.world and providing a lead for unions away from "Elbows Up"
Thanks Luke, great piece. You write "To first state the obvious: nationalism and patriotism, now as ever, are a minefield for the socialist left," I don't think that's universally true. In Scotland a left nationalism has been a central part of the movement for self-determination and this is true in many parts of the world. I think the 'Britain' you refer to has largely disappeared and that is one of the things driving the current flag phenomenon.
There's a lot to admire about how Scot nationalism, but I don't think you have to look further then Humza Yousaf's time as First Minister to see minefields aplenty.
Plenty of minefileds no doubt, I wasn't really thinking of the SNP but more the Radical Independence Campaign and others
I’m a Canadian so feel free to tell me my head’s up my ass, but it seemed to me that Scottish nationalism (or maybe just the SNP) made a positive turn at some point in the 2000s to embrace a civic definition of national identity and embrace cultural diversity. That seemed to founder (a little) when it reached its logical conclusion and Scotland had a non-white and Muslim First Minister. Quebec nationalism in Canada has had similar challenges. Attempts to embrace diversity have now given way to some very ugly racism and a definition of national citizenship that prioritizes “secular identity” (ie. not Muslim).