Throughout history, nations have helped cultivate feelings of common belonging among people. When groups gather to celebrate federal holidays, exchange ideas in the public sphere, or participate in civic society through voting and or volunteering, they are contributing to the ideology of nationalism. In the United States, citizens identify with the nation through a variety of symbols and rituals. For example, school-aged children are required to pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag daily as part of their educational routine. In many ways, this act of socializing young children to self-identify with the nation lays a foundation for nationalism that in some cases lasts a lifetime.
Today, the status of nationalism in the United States is arguably in question. Since the dawn of the ‘Great Recession’ millions of Americans are without jobs. In fact last month, the U.S. unemployment rate was at 9.1 percent.[1] With millions of Americans out of work, government approval rates are rapidly declining. In recent months, thousands of citizens have relied on the public sphere to express their disapproval for the government. In New York City for example, protesters on Wall Street have taken their complaints directly to the institution they hold responsible for the economic crisis.
Unfortunately, there is an overwhelming amount of dissatisfaction among Americans toward their nation. Nationalism is built upon unity, shared culture, and pride, thus a threat to these elements ultimately threatens the nation. If the demonstrations on Wall Street and in Washington, D.C. are indicative of the status of nationalism in America, it is clear that national identity in the U.S. is in jeopardy.
I do not believe the recession is challenging nationalism in the US. The "imagined community" as Anderson calls it remains intact through a shared history,symbols, and destiny. The idea of a nation is not always connected with satisfaction in that nation. I think the protests will become a part of the shared history of U.S. as a nation. Demonstrators must have some sense of shared destiny in order to protest about their idea of what the nation "should" be.
ReplyDeleteI agree the nation is at a turning point, but people will ultimately recall their viewpoint on demonstrations on Wall Street, it will be come apart of the fabric of the nation.
Unfortunately, I don't think nationalism is going away any time soon. I was at Occupy DC, and even there people were rocking the American flag.
ReplyDeleteThe sight of our flag should be offensive to anyone who's read about the history of slavery, the genocide against Native Americans, or our slaughters in Japan, Vietnam,Iraq, etc..
The funny thing about Occupy is that there is a lot of anger directed against Wall Street, but somehow not towards the government. There is no practical difference between the government and Wall Street, between Obama and Goldman Sachs. Just look at the top contributors to his campaign. Look at the way he re-appointed Timothy Geithner to a second term at the Fed. Or how he handed away 14.3 trillion in rewards to the same bankers that crashed the economy, while he refuses to bail out essential institutions like the postal service.
Nationalism is a disease. People need to stop identifying with their nation and start identifying with fellow human beings. Nations are legal fictions, lines drawn in the sand by the wealthy to protect their resources. I am hoping that the tide is turning, but I know that under times of great economic strain people will always turn to God, the nation, or whatever other convenient fantasy they see advertised on late night TV.