Listening to Gordon Brown (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The tyranny of globalisation finally seems to be waning, but the liberal Left aren’t too happy about it. Writing in The Guardian this week, Gordon Brown complained that “nationalism has replaced neoliberalism as the dominant ideology of the age”. For 30 years, he argues, economics drove political decision-making — now the tables have finally turned. But how is this a bad thing? Globalisation has done little for the common good of Britain.
In his book Blue Labour: The Politics of the Common Good, Maurice Glasman argues that globalisation is destructive because it prioritises global market economics over democratic national sovereignty. Brexit was an important step in rebalancing this relationship; the democratic nation state reclaiming lost ground to the forces of international capital. The book ends with a clever aphorism: “Workers of the word unite, you have nothing to lose but your supply chains.”
Nowhere is this tension between globalisation and the nation state clearer than on the football pitch. Consider, for instance, the supply chains of Glasman’s beloved Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris (France), Son (South Korea), Sánchez (Colombia), Højbjerg (Denmark), Gil (Spain), Royal (Brazil), Perišić (Croatia), Romero (Argentina), Sarr (Senegal), Bissouma (Ivory Coast). Asking what encourages these men to leave their home communities is like that famous Mrs Merton question to Debbie McGee: “What first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?” Son and Kane are on nearly £200,000 a week; Perišić is on £178,000. Premier League footballers may kiss their club badge when they score, but gone are the days when they would stay with one club their whole career. Now they follow the money — and the money frequently comes from the dodgiest of places: Saudi despots and Russians oligarchs. As Glasman has written: “If globalisation is understood as the process through which finance capital escapes the bonds of domestic constraints in order to maximise returns, then the establishment of the Premier League created globalisation in one country.”
Yet rejecting globalisation is not the same as shunning internationalism, a distinction Glasman makes clear. If the Premier League represents all that is bad about globalisation, the World Cup indicates something of the virtues of internationalism. Since 2007, England players have donated the relatively modest remuneration they get for playing for their country to charity. They play for the pride. Yet isn’t this precisely the sort of nationalist sentiment that many liberal globalists complain about, imagining only beer-swilling Brexit bigots with large bellies, foul mouths, and racist imaginations?
It is the kind of worldview derided by Gordon Brown. He continues on his tirade against nationalism: “The win-win economics of mutually-beneficial commerce is being replaced by the zero-sum rivalries of ‘I win, you lose’, as movements such as ‘America first’, ‘China first’, ‘India first’, and ‘Russia first’ threaten to descend into an us versus them geopolitics of ‘my country first and only’.” In other words, leave grown-up politics to those of us economically literate enough to understand things like gilts and the exchange rate mechanism. This sense of superiority coupled with the dismissal of national pride as a form of bigotry is precisely what led to Brexit. How did the soft liberal-Left become captured by the values of the global economic order? When did it lose faith in the nation state as a fellowship of free-born subjects whose commitment to their country is a way of expressing their commitment to each other, to what Glasman rightly celebrates as “the common good”?
I hold no candle for Liz Truss. She died at the hand of the ideology she was keenest to promote. But even her most ardent critics should not have been quite so sanguine about a prime minister of this country being brought down by market forces. Yes, it’s more than a little ironic: those who live by the sword die by the sword. But surely none of us want our democratically-elected representatives having to pay fealty to the global money gods. If Corbyn had won in 2019, the Left would have gone ballistic had he been brought down by the global economic order, and rightly so. We always have a choice. Better to be poorer than live with these sorts of chains.
The nation state is the ultimate backstop to democratic virtue. That’s why democratic nationalism is an inherently good thing — which, by the way, is not the same as the poisonous philosophy of ethnic nationalism. Likewise, economic nationalism is not some sort of “me first” chauvinism to which Brown refers, it is simply the idea that the way we order our finances should be decided in Birmingham and Bradford, not in Brussels or by international money markets. Wasn’t it Brown who gave us that speech, “British jobs for British workers”? What happened to that?
As it happens, Brown is a massive football fan. He went to his first Raith Rovers game when he was seven and soon started to sell programmes outside the ground in Kirkcaldy. He recalls questioning his father — a virtuous Church of Scotland minister — when he applauded the good play of Raith’s opponents. For all his talk of international cooperation, it seems he saw nothing wrong with a “Raith first” philosophy from the terraces of Stark’s Park. It’s an expression of solidarity not hostility to the other. And the same is true of “England first” in Qatar. Had Scotland qualified, I suspect even a determined internationalist like Brown would have felt a wave of pride. Of course he would. “Scotland first” just means: this is the team I root for — just as nationalism is about rooting for the people I live among.
There is no doubt the World Cup stinks of greed too. Qatar had almost no footballing culture when it won the bid to host it, not to mention its dodgy human rights record. But for all its many faults, what happens on the pitch during the World Cup represents a kind of nationalist fellow-feeling that is exceedingly rare in the “me first” culture of professional football. When you play for your country, you play for love. Those proud citizens of nowhere who denigrate the nation state as the crucible of so much of what is bad in our political life ought to turn on their television sets over the next few weeks. “Three lions on a shirt” is not some sort of gateway drug to fascism. On the contrary, national pride is precisely the reason that these teams come from every corner of the world to compete.
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SubscribeI’m taking the credit here. Back in July 2021 Giles gave a talk to the Hexham Book Festival, about his wife’s Jewish faith, his Christianity and how the two worked together. Excellent stuff.
He started by reminding us (the audience) that we were theologically illiterate, so I bided my time. At the end of the talk there were several serious dull questions. These events run to time and I got in my question last, just in time: “Giles thank you, as someone who is theologically illiterate, may I ask your advice? Is it OK to pray for an England victory in tonights’ UEFA Euro quarter final?” Nearby members of the audience were not impressed, and Giles was frankly flummoxed – altho’ I think his problem was self-restraint, trying to avoid saying “don’t be trivial, that’s not what prayer is about”.
Anyway, he must have mulled this one, and here we are. Giles sees the light.
[Ukraine 0 – England 4, Harry Kane scored twice, Harry Maguire once.]
Speaking of Jewish roots. Abraham, the one justified by faith is the prototype believer. It’s his promised inheritance of the whole world that the Christian (who are also justified by faith alone) receives in Christ. (Rom 4:13; Gal 3:29) It’s just that we get it in the life to come in the new heavens and new earth.
I’d have supported Ukraine against our own knee-taking pissants.
Have you been riled up by a political movement funded by millionaires? Are you feeling angry at the kneeling people? Your just the kind of idiot we need to tear the nation state apart, call 0800 now to be further indoctrinated and work to destroy your own country and everything it stands for with anger and intolerance. We will provide you with alllll the venom that you need! Special offer. Right now. No problem.
Can you clarify why Richard’s theoretical support for Ukraine in a football match because of the England team’s support for a political movement he disapproves of justifies your incoherent and emotion laden post suggesting he stands for anger and intolerance that will tear the nation state apart. Don’t you think this is a trifle overwrought? I can’t imagine Richard roaming about beating up those stupid enough to take the knee like some reincarnated black-shirt. A sense of proportion would be useful.
Well, partly I’m supposed to be doing my tax return and it’s far more entertaining playing on here, irking the old people of Upper Middle England persuasion. Other part is I feel that’s proportionate. England hasn’t got much going for it at the moment, the weathers shit, inflations through the roof, blackouts coming, let’s not have the football ruined by BLM, cos that’s EXACTLY the kind of thing that movement was funded to achieve. Playing into the hands of those that hate the nation state. Now we can’t even have the football without people taking a political stance on knee taking, it’s so stupid. Supporting England in the football should unite the country, as soon you make it political it becomes incapable of doing that. But you know guys, you go ahead, slate the team, slate the country, let’s not even bother getting together for the football, let’s put st George in the bin and give it up. Unity and patriotism aren’t important. Why bother at all?
Well, partly I’m supposed to be doing my tax return and it’s far more entertaining playing on here, irking the old people of Upper Middle England persuasion. Other part is I feel that’s proportionate. England hasn’t got much going for it at the moment, the weathers shit, inflations through the roof, blackouts coming, let’s not have the football ruined by BLM, cos that’s EXACTLY the kind of thing that movement was funded to achieve. Playing into the hands of those that hate the nation state. Now we can’t even have the football without people taking a political stance on knee taking, it’s so stupid. Supporting England in the football should unite the country, as soon you make it political it becomes incapable of doing that. But you know guys, you go ahead, slate the team, slate the country, let’s not even bother getting together for the football, let’s put st George in the bin and give it up. Unity and patriotism aren’t important. Why bother at all?
Can you clarify why Richard’s theoretical support for Ukraine in a football match because of the England team’s support for a political movement he disapproves of justifies your incoherent and emotion laden post suggesting he stands for anger and intolerance that will tear the nation state apart. Don’t you think this is a trifle overwrought? I can’t imagine Richard roaming about beating up those stupid enough to take the knee like some reincarnated black-shirt. A sense of proportion would be useful.
Well said Richard. Me too.
Yeah great, let’s shit all over something else that would have ordinarily brought people together, without thinking about the consequences. Lets have it all ruined by one fleeting political movement. Why not? God help us.
Yeah great, let’s shit all over something else that would have ordinarily brought people together, without thinking about the consequences. Lets have it all ruined by one fleeting political movement. Why not? God help us.
Have you been riled up by a political movement funded by millionaires? Are you feeling angry at the kneeling people? Your just the kind of idiot we need to tear the nation state apart, call 0800 now to be further indoctrinated and work to destroy your own country and everything it stands for with anger and intolerance. We will provide you with alllll the venom that you need! Special offer. Right now. No problem.
Well said Richard. Me too.
No, it isn’t. Grow up.
Speaking of Jewish roots. Abraham, the one justified by faith is the prototype believer. It’s his promised inheritance of the whole world that the Christian (who are also justified by faith alone) receives in Christ. (Rom 4:13; Gal 3:29) It’s just that we get it in the life to come in the new heavens and new earth.
I’d have supported Ukraine against our own knee-taking pissants.
No, it isn’t. Grow up.
I’m taking the credit here. Back in July 2021 Giles gave a talk to the Hexham Book Festival, about his wife’s Jewish faith, his Christianity and how the two worked together. Excellent stuff.
He started by reminding us (the audience) that we were theologically illiterate, so I bided my time. At the end of the talk there were several serious dull questions. These events run to time and I got in my question last, just in time: “Giles thank you, as someone who is theologically illiterate, may I ask your advice? Is it OK to pray for an England victory in tonights’ UEFA Euro quarter final?” Nearby members of the audience were not impressed, and Giles was frankly flummoxed – altho’ I think his problem was self-restraint, trying to avoid saying “don’t be trivial, that’s not what prayer is about”.
Anyway, he must have mulled this one, and here we are. Giles sees the light.
[Ukraine 0 – England 4, Harry Kane scored twice, Harry Maguire once.]
On the day England beat Germany at Euro 20, I got late and took a cab in a futile attempt to watch some of the match (only if England were leading, or else the TV would stay shut. Yes, sore loser, especially when it’s Germany in football).
The cabbie was a recent immigrant (probably from the Caribbean), could barely speak English, apparently wasn’t very interested about England playing football.
Anyway, we reached just as the march ended. He turned around, saw me checking my phone, and asked me the score in a thick accent.
As soon as he learnt it was 2-0 to the good guys, his face (which had stated impassive all through the trip) instantly lit up. Like a bulb. Honestly, almost literally like a bulb, the pure happiness in his face could illuminate a dark room.
That’s why these people hate football nationalism. For those 90 minutes we are united, in pain, sorrow, happiness, delirium. And that’s something the “liberal left” really don’t like at all.
On the day England beat Germany at Euro 20, I got late and took a cab in a futile attempt to watch some of the match (only if England were leading, or else the TV would stay shut. Yes, sore loser, especially when it’s Germany in football).
The cabbie was a recent immigrant (probably from the Caribbean), could barely speak English, apparently wasn’t very interested about England playing football.
Anyway, we reached just as the march ended. He turned around, saw me checking my phone, and asked me the score in a thick accent.
As soon as he learnt it was 2-0 to the good guys, his face (which had stated impassive all through the trip) instantly lit up. Like a bulb. Honestly, almost literally like a bulb, the pure happiness in his face could illuminate a dark room.
That’s why these people hate football nationalism. For those 90 minutes we are united, in pain, sorrow, happiness, delirium. And that’s something the “liberal left” really don’t like at all.
Football and the wearing of poppies have become the only outlets for popular expression of national pride and patriotism that do not attract the opprobrium of the luvvy metropolitan media. At football grounds the two are invariably infused and it has become a simplistic, even boorish channel of expression that has skewed the whole essence of what patriotism is about and what it represents. Sadly, this is the inevitable consequence of the commentariat driving patriotic expression from the mainstream.
Football and the wearing of poppies have become the only outlets for popular expression of national pride and patriotism that do not attract the opprobrium of the luvvy metropolitan media. At football grounds the two are invariably infused and it has become a simplistic, even boorish channel of expression that has skewed the whole essence of what patriotism is about and what it represents. Sadly, this is the inevitable consequence of the commentariat driving patriotic expression from the mainstream.
Just a few years ago, “neoliberal” was in the Labout lexicon of insults for members who were insufficiently Corbynite. Now, it seems, “neoliberal” has morphed into Labour nostalgia for a lost golden age.
Economics textbooks have simplistic example of how everyone benefits from free trade. But the real question is: when some countries are not genuinely playing the free trade game, what should we (i.e., the UK) do? China and India have been highly protectionist. To give just one Scottish example: India has had stonking import tariffs on Scottish whisky and built up its own distillery industry, which is now awash with dosh. If Brown tells them this was to their disadvantage, they will cry all the way to the bank.
P.S. I hate all spectator sports, but I still love to play football once a week (though admittedly I play very, very badly).
Just a few years ago, “neoliberal” was in the Labout lexicon of insults for members who were insufficiently Corbynite. Now, it seems, “neoliberal” has morphed into Labour nostalgia for a lost golden age.
Economics textbooks have simplistic example of how everyone benefits from free trade. But the real question is: when some countries are not genuinely playing the free trade game, what should we (i.e., the UK) do? China and India have been highly protectionist. To give just one Scottish example: India has had stonking import tariffs on Scottish whisky and built up its own distillery industry, which is now awash with dosh. If Brown tells them this was to their disadvantage, they will cry all the way to the bank.
P.S. I hate all spectator sports, but I still love to play football once a week (though admittedly I play very, very badly).
My dad was not into football, at all. But we always watch and support England in the world cup. He considers it a duty to cheer them on. A bit of patriotism is good for you he’d say.
INGERLAND, INGERLAND, INGERLAAAND!
Come on lads, the country could do with the lift.
My dad was not into football, at all. But we always watch and support England in the world cup. He considers it a duty to cheer them on. A bit of patriotism is good for you he’d say.
INGERLAND, INGERLAND, INGERLAAAND!
Come on lads, the country could do with the lift.
So, there is nothing wrong with ‘England First’. But is there anything wrong with ‘Wales First’?
(In fact, it is obvious that neither will be first in the actual competition)
Sorry, but I am in the anyone but England camp and I am English through and through.
Religion may once have been the opium of the people but it is now clearly association football.
The World Cup, and football in general, is not on any level important. But it promoted by the MSM, and seemingly regarded by a large percentage of the population, as a matter of life and death.
Are your lives so dull and devoid of meaning that you have to find purpose in an entirely illusory allegiance to a football team comprised of multi-millionaires who share nothing in common with you and who disdain your concerns and values?
In ancient Rome Emperors used to stage games to keep the mob quiet. in modern times we have World Cup
Was anything I said incorrect?
I get your point but I think it gives everyone a chance to get together and get the flags out and display a bit of national pride. I went down to the Jubilee pagent so my daughter could see it, the atmosphere was great, it bought people together from all walks of life and from all over the country to celebrate the best of our nation, I would say there are few things that are capable of doing that. Football is one of them, in a weird way its kind of above politics? Like the Queen 🙂 you can get involved without it being complicated, it’s just a way to show some love for England. Maybe go get st George out and give it a go, you might enjoy it!
Nope. I quite agree with you. One of the things that I find really embarrassing is the way that the news media keep going on about 1966; that’s 57 years ago, I wish that they would get over it.
I get your point but I think it gives everyone a chance to get together and get the flags out and display a bit of national pride. I went down to the Jubilee pagent so my daughter could see it, the atmosphere was great, it bought people together from all walks of life and from all over the country to celebrate the best of our nation, I would say there are few things that are capable of doing that. Football is one of them, in a weird way its kind of above politics? Like the Queen 🙂 you can get involved without it being complicated, it’s just a way to show some love for England. Maybe go get st George out and give it a go, you might enjoy it!
Nope. I quite agree with you. One of the things that I find really embarrassing is the way that the news media keep going on about 1966; that’s 57 years ago, I wish that they would get over it.
I bet you’re great fun at parties!
I bet you’re the person everyone avoids
I bet your the person that nobody invites.
Touché 🙂
I bet your the person that nobody invites.
Touché 🙂
I bet you’re the person everyone avoids
Was anything I said incorrect?
I bet you’re great fun at parties!
As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing wrong with Wales first, get the Welsh flag out, don’t blame you.
Sorry, but I am in the anyone but England camp and I am English through and through.
Religion may once have been the opium of the people but it is now clearly association football.
The World Cup, and football in general, is not on any level important. But it promoted by the MSM, and seemingly regarded by a large percentage of the population, as a matter of life and death.
Are your lives so dull and devoid of meaning that you have to find purpose in an entirely illusory allegiance to a football team comprised of multi-millionaires who share nothing in common with you and who disdain your concerns and values?
In ancient Rome Emperors used to stage games to keep the mob quiet. in modern times we have World Cup
As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing wrong with Wales first, get the Welsh flag out, don’t blame you.
So, there is nothing wrong with ‘England First’. But is there anything wrong with ‘Wales First’?
(In fact, it is obvious that neither will be first in the actual competition)
I am so looking forward to the real match.. Englands football hooligans, fuelled with Bud taking on the Quatari totalitarians, who will never have encountered people so drunk or with so much contempt and dislike for all they stand foro
Didn’t you hear? The Quataris have just announced that there will be no beer on sale at the matches. No doubt the yobbos will all be on mint tea this time.
Didn’t you hear? The Quataris have just announced that there will be no beer on sale at the matches. No doubt the yobbos will all be on mint tea this time.
I am so looking forward to the real match.. Englands football hooligans, fuelled with Bud taking on the Quatari totalitarians, who will never have encountered people so drunk or with so much contempt and dislike for all they stand foro
The England team is anti national. They are committed knee takers. They adore the rainbow empire. Southgate said Brexit was motivated by xenophobia. As far as I can tell, they stand for globalism and multiculturalism.
I would like to know what Fraser’s problem with ethnic nationalism is? What is wrong with an ethnic group exercising self determination in their own land of origin? Is Israel not, by in large, an ethno state? Is it only Israel who can favour their own?
https://theheritagesite.substack.com/
God give me strength. I don’t give a shit who’s on the England squad or what political affiliations they have, they are footballers, politics is irrelevant to your ability to play football. Would you look to a footballer for political advice? When they have the England shirts on, and the country is cheering for England THAT is what they represent. England. Just England. Don’t distort that, please. No one is shouting support for the rainbow empire are they? No, they are shouting INGERLAND INGERLAND INGERLAAAND. In the pubs across the country people won’t be having high brow debates about BLM, the movement itself has all but disappeared. They’ll be getting happy and drunk and shouting for England. Brought together for 90 mins for one cause, supporting England.
Hooray
Boooooooooo
Pair of killjoys, it’s football, don’t over think it.
Forgive them Lord they know not what they say
Oh yes that’s what I need, saving, thank you. I feel holier already.
Did notice, to be fair, I have actually invoked god myself like three times, have no idea why, think its exasperation. I’m trying to swear less.
Did notice, to be fair, I have actually invoked god myself like three times, have no idea why, think its exasperation. I’m trying to swear less.
Oh yes that’s what I need, saving, thank you. I feel holier already.
Forgive them Lord they know not what they say
Boooooooooo
Pair of killjoys, it’s football, don’t over think it.
I read the first paragraph and whilst not usually a football fan I’ll be cheering them on now, so thanks for setting it out so attractively.
As regards the ‘…land of their own origin’, err how far back are we going here? Wild guess but your name looks Scottish, so possible Irish really, as the Scots were originally Irish weren’t they? But then they were all Celts weren’t they, we think? But problem is we don’t have a team just for ethno Celts. Maybe an opportunity there for you. Or maybe you mean bit before that and more Neolithic? Recent DNA evidence suggestive of a major change in population c3000BC, but what went before and who replaced who will probably always be a mystery. You may of course have some Germanic Saxon or Jute lineage. Maybe even some Scandinavian. Possibly some French given the proximity and post 1066 intermingling. Oh I forgot apparently 5% of us got some neanderthal. I won’t take that line further.
Anyway as you can tell I’ve given your ethno nationalism twaddle the decency of some serious thought.
God give me strength. I don’t give a shit who’s on the England squad or what political affiliations they have, they are footballers, politics is irrelevant to your ability to play football. Would you look to a footballer for political advice? When they have the England shirts on, and the country is cheering for England THAT is what they represent. England. Just England. Don’t distort that, please. No one is shouting support for the rainbow empire are they? No, they are shouting INGERLAND INGERLAND INGERLAAAND. In the pubs across the country people won’t be having high brow debates about BLM, the movement itself has all but disappeared. They’ll be getting happy and drunk and shouting for England. Brought together for 90 mins for one cause, supporting England.
Hooray
I read the first paragraph and whilst not usually a football fan I’ll be cheering them on now, so thanks for setting it out so attractively.
As regards the ‘…land of their own origin’, err how far back are we going here? Wild guess but your name looks Scottish, so possible Irish really, as the Scots were originally Irish weren’t they? But then they were all Celts weren’t they, we think? But problem is we don’t have a team just for ethno Celts. Maybe an opportunity there for you. Or maybe you mean bit before that and more Neolithic? Recent DNA evidence suggestive of a major change in population c3000BC, but what went before and who replaced who will probably always be a mystery. You may of course have some Germanic Saxon or Jute lineage. Maybe even some Scandinavian. Possibly some French given the proximity and post 1066 intermingling. Oh I forgot apparently 5% of us got some neanderthal. I won’t take that line further.
Anyway as you can tell I’ve given your ethno nationalism twaddle the decency of some serious thought.
The England team is anti national. They are committed knee takers. They adore the rainbow empire. Southgate said Brexit was motivated by xenophobia. As far as I can tell, they stand for globalism and multiculturalism.
I would like to know what Fraser’s problem with ethnic nationalism is? What is wrong with an ethnic group exercising self determination in their own land of origin? Is Israel not, by in large, an ethno state? Is it only Israel who can favour their own?
https://theheritagesite.substack.com/
This author is hilarious,
A few articles he’s written about the dangers of Jewish nationalism and pride. How it’s bad that Jews don’t want non Jews mixing with Jews without him acknowledging that this is part of our religion and heritage. Just because he unfortunately married a Jewish woman which is a BIG mistake for her and her children with him G0d forbid.
But when it comes to supporting britain and national pride and love for British people then everything is okay.
By the way I have no problem with Brits being proud of themselves but a little consistency can go a long way.
I agree. This article is riddled with hypocrisy when compared to his other ‘offerings’ on Unherd. Nothing more to add, apart from the fact he’s trying to tell us what we already know.
He’s never said that Jews shouldn’t be proud of being Jewish. What he has written about and criticised is those Jewish groups and political parties that he believes are too right wing.
I believe he’s made his point quite clearly numerous times that he believes in the nation state, and that it’s good to be proud of your nationality. What he’s against is when this can drift into outright hostility towards others, such as the National Front or BNP
” it’s good to be proud of your nationality.”
Why?
” it’s good to be proud of your nationality.”
Why?
As ever, ethnic nationalism is bad… unless practiced by Israeli Jews.
he clearly makes a distinction between ethnic nationalism and democratic nationalism though. So, you’re just talking nonsense
Perhaps you could explain the ‘difference’.
Ethnic nationalism – I am proud of being a white English (or any other nationality) woman, and all that being white means.
Democratic nationalism – I am proud to be part of a democratic England (or Britain, or any other country) and her culture.
With the latter one can be aware of the good and bad parts of one’s national history, but still be loyal to it, not so with the former.
Ethnic nationalism – I am proud of being a white English (or any other nationality) woman, and all that being white means.
Democratic nationalism – I am proud to be part of a democratic England (or Britain, or any other country) and her culture.
With the latter one can be aware of the good and bad parts of one’s national history, but still be loyal to it, not so with the former.
Perhaps you could explain the ‘difference’.
Your ‘community’ young males don’t seem to mind lots of pre-marital practise using the plentiful shiksa population..
This is not about being British. There is no British football team. Each country in the union has its own football team. Supporting England means supporting one country in the Union, not the union itself as some people seem to think. So carry on supporting the England football team first, but there are plenty other countries for the rest of those in the Union to support!
Thanks for noticing. It’s apparent that the Unherd comment section is, along with other so-called ‘conservative’ outlets) coming to be the home for nationalist ‘English’ racists (England as a ‘nation state’ does not exist, hence the quotes).
If anyone wants to find out what the true consequences of ‘nationalism’ really are, just have a look at modern continental Europe and its 19th & 20th C. history.
If Devolution does eventually break up the UK, then England will fracture rapidly into at least two antithetical local movements (very roughly based on cultures derived from Catholicism (‘left-wing’) vs. Protestantism/Anglicanism (‘right-wing’) – that is roughly N, NW and W vs. ‘the south’). I’ll just point out this was exactly the problem solved by the creation of the UK and the suppression of competitors to the Union’s constitutional religion in the first place.
What will not, ever, happen is a happy, unified ‘England’ within its current, notional, boundaries.
You think I’m a nationalist, English racist then for being excited about the football? For being excited about going to the pub for a good atmosphere and a laugh? Dude. Get over yourself.
You think I’m a nationalist, English racist then for being excited about the football? For being excited about going to the pub for a good atmosphere and a laugh? Dude. Get over yourself.
Thanks for noticing. It’s apparent that the Unherd comment section is, along with other so-called ‘conservative’ outlets) coming to be the home for nationalist ‘English’ racists (England as a ‘nation state’ does not exist, hence the quotes).
If anyone wants to find out what the true consequences of ‘nationalism’ really are, just have a look at modern continental Europe and its 19th & 20th C. history.
If Devolution does eventually break up the UK, then England will fracture rapidly into at least two antithetical local movements (very roughly based on cultures derived from Catholicism (‘left-wing’) vs. Protestantism/Anglicanism (‘right-wing’) – that is roughly N, NW and W vs. ‘the south’). I’ll just point out this was exactly the problem solved by the creation of the UK and the suppression of competitors to the Union’s constitutional religion in the first place.
What will not, ever, happen is a happy, unified ‘England’ within its current, notional, boundaries.
I agree. This article is riddled with hypocrisy when compared to his other ‘offerings’ on Unherd. Nothing more to add, apart from the fact he’s trying to tell us what we already know.
He’s never said that Jews shouldn’t be proud of being Jewish. What he has written about and criticised is those Jewish groups and political parties that he believes are too right wing.
I believe he’s made his point quite clearly numerous times that he believes in the nation state, and that it’s good to be proud of your nationality. What he’s against is when this can drift into outright hostility towards others, such as the National Front or BNP
As ever, ethnic nationalism is bad… unless practiced by Israeli Jews.
he clearly makes a distinction between ethnic nationalism and democratic nationalism though. So, you’re just talking nonsense
Your ‘community’ young males don’t seem to mind lots of pre-marital practise using the plentiful shiksa population..
This is not about being British. There is no British football team. Each country in the union has its own football team. Supporting England means supporting one country in the Union, not the union itself as some people seem to think. So carry on supporting the England football team first, but there are plenty other countries for the rest of those in the Union to support!
This author is hilarious,
A few articles he’s written about the dangers of Jewish nationalism and pride. How it’s bad that Jews don’t want non Jews mixing with Jews without him acknowledging that this is part of our religion and heritage. Just because he unfortunately married a Jewish woman which is a BIG mistake for her and her children with him G0d forbid.
But when it comes to supporting britain and national pride and love for British people then everything is okay.
By the way I have no problem with Brits being proud of themselves but a little consistency can go a long way.