**TL;DR - In a more globalised world, using nationalism as an excuse or as part of a manifesto is a way to get ‘easy votes’ in an election but is based on false ideas and hope** **Natural Inclination** What politicians often do is play on our [natural devotion] (https://www.heritage.org/conservatism/commentary/the-problem-nationalism) to our own home or country. During election time we see nationalism used a lot, take “Make America Great Again” for example. It plays on the way we are inclined to support our own country, even though it often glazes over problems and history. That aside, we can live in a globalised world where we enjoy other countries and what they do and offer, rather than just focusing on our own. This is an outdated idea that we put our own nation on a higher level and actually, in reality, this idea is fading. **Exceptionalism** I wrote my dissertation on the impact of, specifically American Exceptionalism, however I think it can apply to a lot of countries. This is the idea that one assumes their own country is almost special in a lot of ways. I think this idea plays into nationalism and it is problematic, especially in a more globalised world as it breeds resentment and ignorance. **Politics and Generations** What I think nationalism does is blindsides some into ignoring the problems of a nation. An example of this is the British Empire. At school, you learn the size of it, how it worked, how it developed YET it overlooks the slaughter and slavery that was a result of the empire. This is where nationalism plays a problematic role and when it used as a political tool, it oversells a false narrative. You can be proud of where you come from, that is never an issue, and you can want the best for the society you live in, but don’t be fooled into believing such a narrative as exceptionalism or nationalism as gospel. I think more and more generations are exploring history with more globalised goggles and are seeing the issues that extreme nationalism poses.

**Nationalism has become an extreme right-wing ideology and is definitely oversold.** • [Nationalism]( https://www.britannica.com/topic/nationalism) has taken over a lot in recent years accompanied by an increase in support for right-wing groups and ideologies, and this isn’t a coincidence. This idea of solely _devoting yourself to your country_ and its customs can be dangerous. It comes with a reluctance to accept new traditions and outward hostility towards immigration. This is why it’s oversold. • Both the [election of Donald Trump and the Brexit referendum in 2016](https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/06/nationalism-donald-trump-boris-johnson-brexit-foreign-policy-xenophobia-isolationism-213995/) encouraged the emergence of far-right populism across the US and the UK, with many citing ‘nationalism’ as the reason for this. • Ultimately, I think nationalism is oversold because of the consequences that come with it. Trump’s presidency saw America reach new levels of polarisation and the Brexit referendum equally divided Britain - and yet _nothing was achieved_.

**Whilst nationalism generally leads to fear and division, history has shown that sometimes it can be used as an instrument for achieving freedom.** It is certainly important to acknowledge that nationalism has led to the rise of brutal authoritarian regimes such as Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy due to excessive patriotism and distaste for the ‘other’ that stems from this ideology. It has also led to the implementation of hostile governments such as Trump and Putin’s respective administrations. However, it should also be noted that nationalism has actually _helped_ some countries to escape oppressive regimes in the past. For example: • In the late 1980 into the early 1990s, the wave of [nationalist movements in Eastern Europe](https://www.e-ir.info/2012/08/28/the-case-for-nationalism-in-the-demise-of-the-soviet-union/) contributed to the fall of the USSR. • In the 1960s, nationalist leaders in Africa [successfully advocated for independence](https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/nationalism-africa) from the European empires that their nations were a part of. Considering this, nationalism can be used as an instrument to move closer to the goal of self-determination. However, beyond this aim the ideology tends to involve an uncritical subservience to the state at the expense of the welfare of minority groups and, sometimes, the stability of the world order.