How paranoid nationalism corrupts
Cynical leaders are scaremongering to win and abuse power
PEOPLE SEEK strength and solace in their tribe, their faith or their nation. And you can see why. If they feel empathy for their fellow citizens, they are more likely to pull together for the common good. In the 19th and 20th centuries love of country spurred people to seek their freedom from imperial capitals in distant countries. Today Ukrainians are making heroic sacrifices to defend their homeland against Russian invaders.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “How paranoid nationalism corrupts”
From the September 2nd 2023 edition
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