Does this make sense? Is that exacerbated nationalism that is implicitly taught in our countries, is it positive? Today I would like to talk about this topic, since it affects us much more than we think, and if we accept that these "feelings" are not positive for us, we can find solutions for some problems that seem to never end.
The first time I came across this term was talking to a "nationalist" who defended himself from not being "chauvinin", and this is his first characteristic, to deny his behavior, even they know they are wrong.
Nicolas Chauvin. Source.
According to Google, chauvinism is:
"Excessive preference for everything national with contempt of the foreign."
Excessive, that is the key.
I think we all love our country of origin, we were born there, our family, memories, the problem comes when we overreach and begin to "love" subjective things, when we despise the foreign, acting in a xenophobic manner or when we behave ridiculously only to "magnify" our nation.
But, if I'm a patriot, does that make me chauvinistic?
No, they are totally different attitudes, the patriot wants his country because he was born there, he has a sentimental connection with him, he wants to improve it with his effort and work, he wants to preserve certain values or identity as a nation but with a humble posture, It don't lend itself to sensationalist and subjective arguments, respects other nationalities, learns and acquires all the culture and knowledge that it can with respect.
The most famous chauvinist of the 20th century. Source.
The chauvinist only criticizes, despises and hates, has a malicious envy and does not know respect towards people outside his country. Examples of this? The constant territorial disputes in Latin America to name one, it seems medieval Europe. It is not that this evil "claim" certain territories, the problem begins when citizens are manipulated by politicians and start offenses against their neighbors.
Consequences of chauvinism
You are easy to manipulate
It is not hard to realize that people with this behavior are more docile for politicians who use a populist discourse and demagogue, they let themselves be convinced if they are told that for any reason their country is the best and that's why they deserve everything that *here, hated group* want to take.
Sample politician, but any sensationalist serves. Source.
This I think is the main damage caused by chauvinism, has caused wars, genocides, among other regrettable events that could easily have been avoided if we acted using our gray cells to the maximum.
You can not see the real problems
Whether you are chauvinistic or not, the behavior of these affects you, because the media love these issues that only make noise and do not provide any solution.
The debt, the crime, the corruption, the bad administration, an endless number of problems that no one pays attention to. Image made by me with free images. Background source.
In this way valuable time is lost debating that our country is very rich, that we should take that wealth, that the fault lies with the exploiters (usually foreigners), instead of asking ourselves: Are we working to the fullest? Am I innovating and giving my best at all times? Is not it the government that is bothering? And carry out actions that are true solutions not warm water cloths.
Hides a shameful problem of inferiority
An important characteristic of the Spanish-American chauvinist (which I know the most) is that he always criticizes negatively and despises his neighbors, but always says that this or any other country is the best, even without giving it a chance to regional products and services.
Cover of the book "The Disunited States of the Americas" by Andrés Oppenheimer. Source.
This makes me think that there has to be a reason beyond mere admiration for the wealth and success of other countries, as I read recently:
“(...) we see our American compatriot (the continent) as a reflection of ourselves, of our misery, and that is why we reject it.”
Source.
Reflecting it, I intuit that this behavior is because we want to deliberately ignore our problems, for the simple laziness of solving them, not because we are lazy but because of the political and social implications that this would bring, as a society, we do not want to assume those consequences.
I hope that my words are useful to you, if you are a chauvinist, change your attitude, otherwise, encourage others to do so, that way you collaborate with a healthy environment, where reason and logic reign.
Greetings.
In case you want to communicate with me, do it by Discord: @julioccorderoc#9500
Author: @JulioCCorderoC
The texts and images where it is not specified otherwise, are my property.
Esta obra está bajo una Licencia Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
chauvinism it´s imbecile depending on the nation you belong or came from, very relatively :D
Chauvinism is the same throughout the world, therefore, imbecile all over the globe. In case of not being imbecil, it is not chauvinism. Of course, in some places it is stronger than others.
thou shall not confuse chauvinism with identity and self-apreciation of their own country, better said Nation; as everything everybody pulls toward their side and that´s what give us excellency over mediocrity.
I'm not confusing it, you talk about patriotism or nationalism, that's very different from chauvinism. Chauvinism is taking that self-appreciation to the extreme.
Hola @julioccorderoc. Cuando puedas saca este post en español. Me gustaría leerlo.
Saludos.
Lo publiqué hace tiempo:
https://steemit.com/castellano/@julioccorderoc/conoces-el-chauvinismo-el-nacionalismo-imbecil
Espero que te guste.
Saludos!
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