Identifying with a nationality means losing your true self.
“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.”
-- Albert Einstein --
Nationalism, at its core, promotes an overwhelming identification with a collective entity, at the cost of personal identity. The pressures of national allegiance demand conformity to shared ideals, cultural norms, and historical narratives, which diminishes the uniqueness of individuals.
When people absorb nationalistic ideals, they become less defined by their personal experiences and perspectives and more by the collective image of their nation. This loss of individuality fosters a homogenised society where personal beliefs and critical thinking are sacrificed for the sake of national unity. It is, therefore, common for notions like the "greater good", "societal benefits", and "collective responsibility" to be fabricated into existence (and then forced upon everyone who doesn't conform).
The sliding scale of Identity
Identifying with a nation operates on a sliding scale, wherein the greater one's identification with the national collective, the less one remains connected to one's true self. The more an individual ties their identity to an external group, the more their self-awareness diminishes. It is a true dichotomy where one must be sacrificed for the other.
A strong national identity means adopting pre-packaged beliefs, values, and ritualistic behaviours dictated by national governors, rather than developing independent thought and discovering objective moral values through personal experience. People who identify with their nation will tend to accept the dictums of their governing authorities, often to drastic extremes. This imbalance causes individuals to drift away from self-exploration, inhibiting personal growth and self-actualisation.
The shift from ‘I’ to ‘We’
Nationalism fosters a mindset where individuals prioritise collective accountability over personal responsibility. This shift manifests in the language people use—statements like "we must do this" and "we must change that" replace the more introspective "I must change" or "I must develop". This mentality obscures personal responsibility and leads people to expect change through collective rather than individual action.
Consequently, nationalism diverts attention from self-improvement and places it on external objectives that serve the interests of those in power rather than the individual's well-being. Ultimately, nationalistic people want (and expect) change in society instead of change in themselves.
One of the most insidious aspects of nationalism is the encouragement of self-sacrifice for the so-called "greater good". While selflessness in moderation can be a virtue, nationalism exploits this trait by convincing individuals that their personal needs and aspirations must be secondary to the nation’s goals.
The dangers of self-sacrifice
One of the most insidious aspects of nationalism is the encouragement of self-sacrifice for the so-called "greater good". While selflessness in moderation can be a virtue, nationalism exploits this trait by convincing individuals that their personal needs and aspirations must be secondary to the nation’s goals.
Throughout history, countless people have given their lives, time, and resources for nationalistic causes, often without considering whether these sacrifices genuinely benefit them. This blind devotion can lead to personal suffering, disillusionment, and a life dictated by external expectations rather than personal fulfilment.
From Nationalism to Culture and Cults
Nationalism fosters the adoption of cultural norms that function as a loose cult. People conform to societal expectations, traditions, and ideologies simply because they are widely accepted rather than because they are rational, reasonable, or beneficial.
Questioning the validity of these norms is typically met with hostility, ostracisation, or even punishment, making it difficult for individuals to express dissenting opinions. The pressure to conform inhibits independent thought and innovation, leading to a stagnant society where individuals fear stepping outside the prescribed boundaries of national identity.
Nationalism, while portrayed as a unifying force, is a destructive ideology that erodes individuality, stifles personal development, and promotes conformity at the expense of self-awareness. It convinces people to place the collective above their true selves, leading to misappropriated responsibility, unnecessary sacrifices, and unquestioned adherence to cultural norms—often leading to self-harm.
The antidote is better than the cure
Actual progress comes not from blind allegiance to a nation but from self-discovery, critical thinking, and the courage to question established beliefs. The antidote to nationalism is reclaiming one’s individuality and resisting the pressures of conforming to the collective.
The Identity Delusion
A nationalist, then, suffers from a cognitive distortion: the inability to separate personal identity from a fabricated collective. They may exhibit symptoms akin to mental disorders, believing in an exaggerated sense of national superiority, historical destiny, or existential threat from outsiders. This belief can override critical thinking, fostering paranoia, hostility, and emotional dependence on symbols rather than reality.
Consider a person who believes they are a dog—barking instead of speaking, eating off the floor, rejecting human identity. We recognize this as a psychological disorder. Or, a man who misidentifies as a woman is engaging in self-misidentification. If we accept these as mental dysfunctions, then nationalism, too, is a widespread affliction—one that compels individuals to surrender their autonomy to an entity that exists only as an idea. Individuals imagine themselves to be multiple people and consider propositions as if they were a group rather than a single agent.
The solution? A return to individuality, reason, and an acceptance that identity is not determined by the borders drawn by those who came before us but by our own actions, values, and relationships in the present. When we look in the mirror, we should see ourselves rather than society looking back at us.
Written by George Tchetvertakov
Written by George Tchetvertakov
