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The countries studied so far
Conceptions of the national self
United? Divided? A distribution of opinion
‘Our Values’: Unanimous? Universal? Exceptional? Good? Safe?
Local, national, international and global
National Conservatism
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The countries studied so far
Britannia: Three Prime Ministers and a Queen
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Conceptions of the national self
How does a nation see itself? Putin was quite emphatic when he invaded Ukraine in 2022 that Ukraine was part of Russia – that it was founded on Kyivan Rus. Others share Putin’s view. But Putin’s is not the only view of Russia. And Putin is not the only national leader to have a specific view of their nation.
For some time now I have been writing about how nations see themselves - about different conceptions of the national self. Most recently I have drafted an online book on Britannia (see below).
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United? Divided? A distribution of opinion
Are people united in their view of their nation? Are they divided into separate groups, each with their own different view of their nation? My view is that rather than united or divided, there is a distribution of opinion.
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‘Our Values’: Unanimous? Universal? Exceptional? Good? Safe?
Yearbook 2014, Chapter 6
“Overview. Chapter 6 considers values at the group or societal level. How do ‘we’ see ‘our values’? Do we think of them as unanimously held within our own group? Comparing ourselves with other groups, do we think of our values as ‘exceptional’ ... do we think of them as ‘universal’? Are ‘our values’ good or bad? Are ‘our values’ safe or under threat?
In many conflicts there are positive perceptions of self and of ‘our values’ and negative perceptions of the other and of ‘their values’. These perceptions are regularly reinforced, for example in anniversaries of historical events: 1914, the start of the First World War; 1815, the Battle of Waterloo; 1314, the Battle of Bannockburn; and so on. In some cases the possession of arms itself is a celebrated part of nationalism. The two world wars were global events but they were locally experienced and are locally – differentially - remembered.
The main focus of the chapter is on exceptionalism, the belief in ‘our exceptional values’. The idea of American exceptionalism is similar to other nations’ perceptions of their own exceptionalism. An extended analysis is given of contemporary discussion (2014) in the UK about British values and about the question “is Britain Christian?”. The dimensions of the debate are charted and the views of Prime Minister David Cameron and secularist A C Grayling are analysed.
Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum, talking of the loan of one of the Elgin Marbles to the Hermitage in St Petersburg for its 250th anniversary, referred to ‘this stone ambassador of the Greek golden age and European ideals’. But is it true that the values of the European Enlightenment are uniquely aligned with the values of Ancient Greece?”
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Local, national, international and global
Whereas the bulk of Chapter 6 is about the nation, the last part considers an international cultural phenomenon, ‘European ideals’. And, further to ‘merely’ Europe, Neil MacGregor had previously put on an exhibition of world history.
The attention allocated to local, national, international and global matters varies and is a matter for debate. The next section refers to a strongly worded article by Juliet Samuel challenging those who are “bent on trying to internationalise policy making”.
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National Conservatism
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“God, homeland, family”
Georgia Meloni, NatCom Rome 2020 [there is a YouTube]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgia_Meloni
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The Virtue of Nationalism. Yoram Hazony
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoram_Hazony
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Virtue_of_Nationalism
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National Conservatism held a conference in London, Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th May, 2023. Several leading Conservatives gave speeches, keynote speakers including Suella Braverman, Michael Gove, Douglas Murray, Jacob Rees-Mogg, and Kevin Roberts.
https://nationalconservatism.org/natcon-uk-2023/
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The event has elicited a number of articles:
.(1) “Migrants need to love our country, Braverman insists.” 16, 6.
.(2) “Right take centre stage in ideology battle.” 16, 6.
.(3) “National Conservatism is not some kind of fascist plot.” Melanie Phillips. 16, 6.
.(4) Britain isn’t enough for our lofty leaders. The political class fails to protect our national interest because it is bent on trying to internationalise policy making. …
… too many of them don’t even believe those interests are legitimate. Either they will change their view or, ultimately, the voters will change them …
… There is no conception that we should solve problems ourselves.”
Juliet Samuel. 18, 25.
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Books cited on the NC website:
https://nationalconservatism.org/
Biggar: https://nationalconservatism.org/publications/colonialism/ ;
Goodwin: https://nationalconservatism.org/publications/values-voice-and-virtue-the-new-british-politics/;
Harrington: https://nationalconservatism.org/publications/feminism-against-progress/
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THE END