Reading Paul Pillar’s reflections on patriotism and nationalism earlier today, I was reminded of related comments on the nature of modern nationalism in George Kennan’s The Fateful Alliance. Kennan described the nation-state at war and the effect of modern nationalism on the conduct of war:

The nation, as distinct from the dynastic ruler of earlier times, is–even in theory–a secular force. Ready as it is to invoke the blessing of the Almighty on its military ventures, it cannot claim the divine right of kings or recognize the moral limitations that right once implied [bold mine-DL]. And it is outstandingly self-righteous–sometimes to the point of self-adoration or self-idealization–in its attitudes towards any country that appears to oppose its purposes or threatens its security. The kings and princes of earlier times were usually cynical, indeed; but their cynicism often related in a disillusioned way, to themselves as well as to their rivals. The nation-state is cynical, too, sometimes pathologically so, but only in relation to opposing military-political force. In the view it takes of itself it is admiring to the point of narcissism. Its symbols always require the highest reverence; its cause deserves the highest sacrifice; its interests are sacrosanct. The symbols, causes, and interests of its international rivals are, by contrast, unworthy, despicable, expendable. Once involved in a war, regardless of the specific circumstances that gave rise to the involvement in the first place, the nation-state fights for vague, emotional, essentially punitive purposes. They, the opponents, must be punished, made to regret their recalcitrance, made to be sorry. We, on the other hand, must be vindicated by victory; the justice of our cause must be confirmed (as though this proved something) by its very military triumph; our admirableness must be documented by their ultimate recognition of our superiority. (p. 256-257)

Pillar recognizes what Kennan was describing. Pillar wrote:

This [nationalism] includes not only the pursuit of ever more power but also a self-righteousness and a conviction that one’s own way of doing things is superior to everyone else’s and is universally applicable. As we engage in the worthy and pleasurable expression of patriotism—“devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life”—not only on the 4th of July but all through the year, let’s stick with pure patriotism and, keeping Orwell’s distinctions in mind, not let it get confused with our nationalism.