Are nationalists ethnocentric and xenophobic?
By definition, we are “ethnocentric”: we hold that “ethnocentrism” — loyalty to one’s own people — is natural, proper, and necessary. We might or might not be xenophobic. Love of one’s own nation need not imply hatred of others, and indeed it may just as easily inspire respect for others who love their own nations as we love ours. We will certainly be hostile to foreigners if they insult us or threaten our nation’s well-being or survival. But we will be at least as hostile to traitors and subversives among our own people. Admittedly, there have been some nationalist movements that deny to other nations the rights they claim for themselves: the IRA and the Serbs are notorious examples. A thorough and consistent nationalist will condemn them unequivocally. He accepts and even celebrates cultural diversity — but demands that culturally distinct peoples be segregated geographically. Basically, his attitude is that there’s nothing wrong with foreigners — as long as they stay in their ow
