Another lesson: Labels are funny things. This is a point that cuts somewhat in the new nationalists’ favor. While it would be better if they grappled more with the lessons of history and how this idea was applied in the past, today’s nationalists are under no obligation to own prior meanings as their own. Moreover, labels take on new meanings as new events make their impression on them. Obviously, it’s no surprise that the nationalism of Mussolini and Hitler didn’t factor into the nationalism of Bellamy—because it hadn’t happened yet. But it’s also worth noting that the nationalism of Fichte and Herder—the German architects of Enlightenment-era nationalism—were missing from the discussion of Bellamy’s nationalism, as well. In other words, as a political brand, the American nationalism of the 19th and early 20th century was largely disconnected from the connotations of European nationalism of the 18th century—where it was born. The original nationalism that led to the creation of Germany was thoroughly romantic, drawing its strength from rebellion against the French Enlightenment and the suppression of the German language, German culture and the myths of the Germanic past. Bellamy’s nationalism, despite the title of his book, was entirely forward-looking and hopeful to the point of being literally utopian.
Another lesson: Labels are funny things. This is a point that cuts somewhat in the new nationalists’ favor. While it would be better if they grappled more with the lessons of history and how this idea was applied in the past, today’s nationalists are under no obligation to own prior meanings as their own. Moreover, labels take on new meanings as new events make their impression on them. Obviously, it’s no surprise that the nationalism of Mussolini and Hitler didn’t factor into the nationalism of Bellamy—because it hadn’t happened yet. But it’s also worth noting that the nationalism of Fichte and Herder—the German architects of Enlightenment-era nationalism—were missing from the discussion of Bellamy’s nationalism, as well. In other words, as a political brand, the American nationalism of the 19th and early 20th century was largely disconnected from the connotations of European nationalism of the 18th century—where it was born. The original nationalism that led to the creation of Germany was thoroughly romantic, drawing its strength from rebellion against the French Enlightenment and the suppression of the German language, German culture and the myths of the Germanic past. Bellamy’s nationalism, despite the title of his book, was entirely forward-looking and hopeful to the point of being literally utopian.