Militant nationalism: the mindset of McCain

Over at Obsidian Wings, publius has a fascinating post about how neocon (and McCain) nationalism parallels Russian nationalism.

...let's imagine if Bill Kristol could be magically transformed into a Russian. And let’s say that the Russian Kristol saw the following happen over the years: (1) the Soviet Union collapsed; (2) NATO and the West began militarily encircling a country whose foreign policy has been obsessed for 60 years with avoiding another WW2-style invasion; (3) NATO humiliated an impotent Russia by bombing the holy crap out of Serbia and then supporting independence for Kosovo; (4) a hated uber-nationalist neighbor (Georgia) wanted to join this military alliance (NATO!); (5) said hated neighbor launched an attack essentially rubbing Russia’s nose in it.

What exactly do you think Kristolovich would recommend? Respect for territorial sovereignty? No, he’d recommend pretty much what he’s recommending now, just with the countries reversed. That’s what militant nationalists do. They convince themselves of their own unambiguous superiority. Once that point is established, everything else flows logically. Because we’re so good, we can use force whenever and wherever we want. We won’t be excessive of course, because we’re constitutionally incapable of being wrong.

These militant nationalists also share a paranoid sense of decline. The great nation is always in danger of being overrun or embarrassed. There’s always some threat among us. Thus, there’s always some need to re-establish our strength and greatness – preferably through force. Because we’re so good.

My point is that the problem with the Russia response is, at bottom, the same problem with the response to the response. That problem is nationalism. Russia is doing exactly what the neocons want America and Israel to do.

Generally speaking, though, nationalism is almost always the problem. Looking abroad, we usually find ourselves at odds with various countries' nationalist wings. That is, the nationalists are the ones we don’t like (though sometimes we like them, but shouldn't – e.g., Israel, Georgia). In Iran, we prefer the reformers to the religious nationalists. In Palestine, same. In China, same (minus religion). In Russia, same. In Venezuela, same. In all these countries, the nationalists are the most contemptuous of world opinion. They’re the most enamored of starting wars. And so on....

....Looking ahead, we’re never going to make real progress until we get past this paranoid, angry worldview. Democrats might win an election or two and put off the day of reckoning. But as long as militant nationalism remains as potent as it seems to be, we’re simply pushing off wars to future dates.