Notes on Nationalism
by George Orwell · first published 2018
27% recommend73% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Orwell's short essay offers an analytical framework for thinking about nationalism, its loyalties and blind spots, and helps readers examine their own biases; it suits anyone wanting a concise, thoughtful treatment.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Given whats going on in the World now, Orwell's "Notes on Nationalism" is a pertinent read. We must be careful that we don't get carried away by Propaganda and start demonizing "the other side" reflexively. Summary on Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notes_on_Nationalism
on “Notes on Nationalism (1945)” ↗George Orwell wrote my favourite piece on this issue in his essay, Notes on Nationalism[1]. [1] http://orwell.ru/library/essays/nationalism/english/e_nat
on “Nadella as Microsoft CEO: A slap in the face for Indian system” ↗…this way. With the result that attempts at fairness, any objections to double standards makes a person a perceived traitor to everybody deeply invested on the self-delusion of any of the sides. From "Notes on Nationalism" by George Orwell: (as most if not all of his writings, it's available on the web and well worth a read) > The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he…
on “The Drone Papers” ↗Dan, you may be interested in Orwell's Notes on Nationalism, in which he attempts to tease out "smite enemies rather than for curious exchange." I certainly noticed some poor tendencies of mine[1] in his taxonomies! http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0300011h.html#part30…
on “Blog Anonymously” ↗Thanks for the mention of Orwell’s notes on nationalism. I just read it and it is remarkably relevant, even if the movements used as examples aren’t. As a European it was incomprehensible to me why anyone would vote for trump as I had only received the straw…
on “Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided U.S.” ↗…It's a surprisingly difficult topic to deal with in discreet analytical terms, so I suggest avoiding disagreeing with definitional points and looking to the wider picture. Don't quibble, fix it instead. NOTES ON NATIONALISM https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwel...
on “Keep Your Identity Small (2009)” ↗…deck against them in the "new world order". You bear the responsibility and owe them reparations. Relevant: In the context of this thread dealing with Orwell's writings, i highly recommend his essay Notes on Nationalism. - https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwel... Excerpt: All nationalists have the power of not seeing resemblances between similar sets of facts. A British Tory will defend self-determination…
Very Right! IMO, his Essays are where the essence is; the novels are merely a thought-experiment on how far you can map the ideas onto a "realistic" world. For example, reading his Notes on Nationalism (https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwel...) will give you greater insight into Animal Farm/1984.
on “The Failed Saint: On George Orwell's India” ↗…insidiousness. Thus one has to look beyond the "painted picture" and understand what was being meant. However; Orwell had a better insight on the overall issues which can be found in his essays eg. "Notes on Nationalism", "All Art is Propaganda", "Politics and the English Language" (eg. Newspeak) etc.
on “Amusing Ourselves to Death (2009)” ↗…expensive to be poor. I read Shooting an Elephant for an English class. It's hard not to think of the pointlessness of the Great Game when thinking about Afghanistan. Politics and the English Language, Notes on Nationalism, ... Orwell was a great writer. Hitchens wanted to be Orwell. Hitchens was good but, nope, not Orwell. Hitchens was unbelievably wrongly wrong about Iraq and would never admit it. He should have re-read…
on “Shooting an Elephant (1936)” ↗Having read Orwell’s “Notes on Nationalism” essays literally yesterday, his voice is quite forcefully poking my brain as I read your comment. Orwell agreed that Nationalistic thinking was almost totally widespread through different peoples and…
on “The Rising Threat of Digital Nationalism” ↗…victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." Sadly, humans seem allergic to this kind of thinking. As Orwell writes in "Notes on Nationalism": "The nationalist does not go on the principle of simply ganging up with the strongest side. On the contrary, having picked his side, he persuades himself that it is the strongest, and is able to stick…
on “Biden wins White House, vowing new direction for divided U.S.” ↗…themselves as to have lost all power of action." George Orwell, "Wells, Hitler, And The World State", 1941. I also can't help but notice that you fail to mention that Orwell's definition of nationalism in "Notes On Nationalism" is somewhat different than the definition used today: "By 'patriotism' I mean devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish…
on “The Rising Threat of Digital Nationalism” ↗from http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0300011h.html#part30 Orwell, "NOTES ON NATIONALISM (1945)" "If one harbours anywhere in one's mind a nationalistic loyalty or hatred, certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible. Here are just a few examples. I list below five…
on “Orthodox Privilege” ↗…section of the intelligentsia, is secretly inspired by an admiration for power and successful cruelty. The mistake was made of pinning this emotion to Hitler, but it could easily be retransfered. -- Orwell, Notes on Nationalism, 1945
on “Why don't I take military funding? (2004)” ↗