Cosmopolitan and Xenophobic Nationalism

There are two types of nationalism.

There is a sectarian nationalism based on exclusion of people. It can be based on hating people or even seeking to destroy other people. Racism is one version of this. Religious hatred is another version of it. At worst, this sort of nationalism results in violence against others and minorities. Technically, this nationalism is based on a false concept of purity. Most nations are products of different influences (external and internal - migration and movement of people has been a factor throughout history - of every nation). So Taliban nationalism is one of the most backward nationalism. There is external hatred and internal hatred rightly labeled as 'Green Fascism'. The Nazis made racism and hatred into a science of massacres and de-humanisation. Non-German 'blood' was a contaminant. 'Impure' Germans e.g. disabled were 'defective' and not perfect human beings.



The concept of second class human beings is contrary to the idea of the 'equal worth of human beings' (can be expressed in religious non-sectarianism as 'all are children of the God'). This quite contrary to the concept of that all humans are born equal (US constitution) or the universal rights of man (French revolution). See next section.

There is a cosmopolitan nationalism based on a progressive view of humanity - to enlarge freedom for more people. This seeks to open up the country to global influences, whilst taking pride in unique and positive contributions of different cultures to the world's society and progress. There is an expansive concept. For instance, European nationalism ( e.g. German and Italian unification) created nations out of previous smaller entities such as city states. US nationalism was based on assertion of rights - no taxation without representation. US nationalism was very outward looking e.g. making links with French revolution. There was an expansive concept in a multi-state union (federalism). Indian nationalism was based on concept of multi-faith (secular) state as well as a federal entity of cultures (states). Equally, South African nationalism was based on concept on non-racial country. Indian and South African nationalism was very internationalist.

Minority national rights is integral to the concept of cosmopolitan nationalism. Minorities are human beings with unique cultural attributions and can constitute a nation. The point is that suppression of cultural rights is not progressive. Freedom for all to cultural rights is vital to cosmopolitan nationalism. For instance, Kurdish language and cultural rights are fundamental - and suppression of these cannot be justified, etc.

Rights for all people as 'different but equal' , 'unity in diversity', 'out of many one', 'one nation many people' etc. Equality and inclusion is a central concept to cosmopolitan nationalism. e.g. Women have equal rights. Disabled people have equal rights. Lesbian and gays have equal rights. Minority religions have equal rights ('freedom of conscience').