Re: the Nation State

[glevy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Paul C. wrote:

> Nationalism is a form of state supporting ideology specific to
> capitalist society.

I think this is quite a stretch. Although,

> The nationalist idea became common in last
> two hundred years. It went along with the
> development of capitalism. (snip)

,yet, nationalism and nation-states pre-date capitalism. They may have, in
many countries, arisen alongside each other, but that does not mean that
nations are a result of capitalist development.

> In this it is like religion, it is false, but lots of people
> believe in it and one can not reliably make them dis-believe it by
> oppression. Oppression of a religion or a nationalist ideology
> by another religion or nationalism only reinforces peoples
> sense of identity with it. It was for this reason and this
> alone that Lenin defended the right of nations to self
> determination - because any attempt to deny it merely reinforced
> nationalist ideology.
>
It was not "for this reason and this reason only" that Lenin supported the
*unconditional* right of *oppressed* nations to self-determination.
Lenin's understanding of national self-determination was tied to his
theory of imperialism. Lenin supported the unconditional right to
self-determination for nations struggling against an imperialist nation,
especially within the context of colonialism. He opposed extending this
right to  oppressor nations (imperialist and colonial powers), because the
national interests of the oppressor nation are at the expense of the
people within oppressed nations. This right was also a means with which
the Bolsheviks could express solidarity with peoples in struggle against
colonialism and imperialism.

Jerry


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