This is where nationalism leads

[Politruk]

The Russia-Ukraine war is a war of conflicting nationalisms. Putin thinks the Ukrainians are just Russians with a funny accent, so of course they should be united with Mother Russia. Zelenskyy thinks the Ukrainians are a separate and distinct nationality, so of course they should have their own independent nation-state. Both goals are perfectly in accord with nationalist principles first articulated in the 19th Century, which provide no grounds on which to decide questions of uncertain or disputed national identity.

 

[Politruk]

We see the same thing playing out in Spain -- are the Catalans Spanish or something different?

 

[Politruk]

Pope Leo criticizes political nationalism and prays for reconciliation and dialogue

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV criticized the surge of nationalist political movements in the world as he prayed Sunday for reconciliation and dialogue — a message in line with his pledges to make the Catholic Church a symbol of peace.

The pope celebrated Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square in front of tens of thousands faithful, and asked the Holy Spirit to "break down barriers and tear down the walls of indifference and hatred."

"Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for 'security' zones separating us from our neighbors, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms," the first American pontiff said.