Introduction to Nationalism
 

We hear much about nationalism in the news, nationalism is maligned as a bad thing leading to disintegration and mass violence. To the media, it is the stability-threatening force that causes governments to fall. To those in the nationalist movement, it is the force that causes brothers to fight each other. However, a better understanding of nationalism is necessary to appreciate its true role in world politics and how it relates to our own movement.  

There are many myths about what nationalism is. For many, nationalism only evidences itself as warfare between ethnic groups or as the force that destabilises multi-ethnic countries. However, this view misses a much more important fact about nationalism: that it is something that affects people's everyday actions in many positive ways while never causing them to engage in acts of violence. Another myth about nationalism is that it is something fundamentally different from racism. In fact, the basis of nationalism can be one or more of several influences such as religion, race, language or other factors.

  Nationalism 

Nationalism is a complex phenomenon that is not always immediately easy to grasp. It is a whole ideological viewpoint that affects all aspects of one's every day political, cultural, economic and social life. Nationalism in the Twenty First Century, is "...the ideological movement for the attainment and maintenance of autonomy, cohesion, and individuality for a social group, some of whose members conceive it to be an actual or potential nation." In accordance with this definition, it can be seen that virtually any activity taken on behalf of the nation (a social group) could be considered a "nationalistic act." Such things as writing poetry to spread the ideals of the nation, learning the historical dances of that nation, speaking in the historical language of that people, or engaging in politics on behalf of the nation's interests are all "nationalistic acts." In extreme cases, nationalism does evidence itself as ethnic warfare when two or more ethnic groups compete at the expense of each other's interests.

  A nationalist argument is a political doctrine built upon three basic assertions:

1. There exists a nation with an explicit and peculiar character
2. The interests and values of this nation take priority over all other interests and values.
3. The nation must be as independent as possible. This usually requires at least attainment of political sovereignty. 

  In accordance with the above definitions, one can see that our own movement to ensure the survival of the English / British race is a nationalist movement. This is even more strikingly evident when one considers English Nation's own slogan: "England For the English" This slogan is an obvious statement linking racial and nationalistic arguments and ideals.

The State

  Nationalists make explicit distinctions between the nation, which is a social group, and the State, which is a government that rules over one or more nations. Therefore, nationalists often state that nationalism is love of one's people, whereby patriotism is love of the State. It is important to understand this difference between nationalism and patriotism since most arguments against nationalism are patriotic attempts to ensure the survival of a particular State.

  As a political institution, the State is an entity with its own interests. States derive their power from the number of people whom they are able to tax and control through laws and by force. Because of this, there is a conflict of interests between the State and the nation. Often, States find it necessary to suppress nationalistic feelings and disenfranchise national groups in order to secure their dominance. Where several ethnic groups exist in a single State, the State must compromise one group's national interests in order to satisfy the desires of minority groups or to assure standing in the eyes of other nations or States of the world. Often, minority groups are able to assume control of the State apparatus and thus make it an instrument of their own ends. To the nationalist, often the only viable State is one that is expressly structure to protect and promote his own nation above all others; therefore, multi-ethnic States are seen as illegitimate.

  The Nation

  The key concept in understanding nationalism is knowing the meaning of the word nation. Contrary to the everyday use of the word nation, which often includes the many different ethnic groups existing in a certain State, the nationalist definition of nation is those people who believe they belong together because they are a social group bound by blood, language, culture, religion or other factors.  "The essence of the nation is a psychological bond that joins a people and differentiates it, in the subconscious convictions of its members, from all non-members in a most vital way" There are many such bonds, but perhaps the strongest national identity is that founded on race (lineage or bloodline). "In sharpest contrast with most academic analysts of nationalism, those who have successfully mobilised nations have understood the sense of shared blood, and they have not hesitated to appeal to it" . Other bases of ethnic identity include many other features such as language, folkways, historical viewpoints and other characteristics.

  The English Nationalist Perspective

  With the above understanding of nations and States, we English can examine our own situation better. Phrasing our position in terms of the basic nationalist arguments, one can state that we are a White nation, that the interests and values of that nation take priority over all others and that we must be as independent as possible. Therefore, we must embark on a program leading towards greater sovereignty and security for our nation. We must not let ANY government impose policies and programs that are harmful to our nation's interests.

  We must recognise that the British and European Government’s, as States, has subverted the interests of our nation and that unless measures are taken to bolster our nation, all that we hold as dear will be destroyed.

  Conclusion

Nationalism is a social movement by a people seeking the maintenance of their group. The key element in nationalism is the nation, a social group of those people who believe that they belong together because of common characteristics and interests. By putting the interests of their social group ahead of all other interests, they are able to ensure its survival. Because they put the interests of their people first, nations are often in conflict with the States in which they reside. This most often results in a desire for political sovereignty by nations.