National myths have a dark side - Germany knows that better than any country. But they can also help to create a sense of togetherness. In our fragmented 21st century society, Germany should put its faith back in national myth-making.
Many in the UK of varying political persuasions would rightly query what and who they might be called to 'defend.' Too much Nationalism and too little community nationhood in the UK has created an ambivalence to the old order of sacrifice for the Country and not just in the younger generation. On a lighter note my son has the old fashioned German name Emil and the dog is called Otto! What goes round comes round . . . . . . .
Defining Germans as those who speak the German tongue was of course the Nazi's pretext for the invasion of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, the annexation of Austria and the restructuring of Poland under the Molotov-Ribbentrop-Pact, so it could be argued that they also defiled even that most basic story of national identity.
Thanks for that perspective. Looking at the recent exodus from Afghanistan, Syria, Africa.... Is this trend world-wide? Is nothing worth defending ? Too many seem to believe this.
Many in the UK of varying political persuasions would rightly query what and who they might be called to 'defend.' Too much Nationalism and too little community nationhood in the UK has created an ambivalence to the old order of sacrifice for the Country and not just in the younger generation. On a lighter note my son has the old fashioned German name Emil and the dog is called Otto! What goes round comes round . . . . . . .
Defining Germans as those who speak the German tongue was of course the Nazi's pretext for the invasion of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, the annexation of Austria and the restructuring of Poland under the Molotov-Ribbentrop-Pact, so it could be argued that they also defiled even that most basic story of national identity.
True, and Putin has reinforced that using the claim he is protecting Russian speakers in Ukraine.
How could new myths be built around the idea of a unified Europe, rather than any individual nation?
Thanks for that perspective. Looking at the recent exodus from Afghanistan, Syria, Africa.... Is this trend world-wide? Is nothing worth defending ? Too many seem to believe this.