American Left-Wing Nationalism

Something that has caused dismay for me is the utter lack of nationalism towards America in the political left. Even amongst the left-wing 'nationalists'. It seems that left-wing nationalism for most folks in the nationalist left is nationalism towards all nations except for these United States of America. For example, I have yet to see the use of any patriotic symbols by a modern American far-left movement. And meanwhile, the American Right holds complete and total grip upon all American national symbols and even towards any nationalist/patriotic sentiment towards the nation.

Basically, I want a discussion on left-wing nationalism towards America, specifically but not necessarily limited to the problem that I wrote above.

The New Left's antipathy towards the sort of language and symbolism that actually resonates with the American worker is emblematic of its general refusal to seriously engage with the national proletariat as a whole. Its anathema towards the history and character of the United States finds expression in such mindless redundancies as making our national symbols the focal point of their contempt. Such examples of the New Left's intransigence undoubtedly account for why the left in this country is in such a moribund state.

I am reminded of an observation made by the reformist, Giovanni Zibordi, when evaluating the failure of the socialist movement in post-WWI Italy.  

With that simplistic inclination for symbols that is wholly characteristic of primitive minds, the proletariat identified the war with everything that was its visible reminder; it vented its hatred on the uniform, on the flag, on the soldiers themselves. It failed to understand or appreciate the state of mind of those who had fought with conviction and who returned home with understandable pride. It committed major psychological errors, and multiplied the misunderstandings, the antipathies, the enemies of every side; and now it is paying a heavy price.

This problem, however, was far less visible in the international socialist movement as a whole. Many early socialist organizations shrewdly appropriated national symbolism as an overture to the working class. It was not uncommon, for example, to see American flags and other national symbols at socialist events.


Of course, there is a profound difference between being a clever tactician and an actual left-wing nationalist. Moreover, exponents of left-wing nationalism share much of the critique of the histories associated with the development of most nation-states found throughout the left. Our solutions, however, diverge significantly from those of our cosmopolitan friends.

Your post does contain plenty of wisdom.

Though, I am principally a nationalist and don't see it as a way to attract workers towards socialism or to build solidarity amongst them. Instead, I see nationalism as an end in itself and am dedicated to my nation, specifically these United States of America. Of course, my nation is not perfect, but that is easily changeable with a revolution, electoral or not in nature.

Aside from my personal patriotism, anyone else have a word on this?

The US have all the ressources needed to become self-sufficient. Such an occasion is a blessing. Achieving national economical independance is a work of an incredible effort that requires cooperation, organisation and revolutionary enthusiasm (because clearly, the oligarchy don't want, or need, such an iniative) - the wet dream of a socialist. Socialism can be the system that will bring this goal to life and nationalism its motor. Nothing serves better the nation than the loving hearts of its free workers.

No need to say I support social nationalism in the US as a change to the actual conservative patriotism a.k.a. "suck the Fed and Israel's dick" patriotism.

I'm hearing you, fellas. I feel the same. I wear my nation's colors.

Agreed. It's sad how the right-wing holds a monopoly on expressions of nationalism and patriotism today, and how they automatically conflate them with statism, imperialism, and racism. I hope the American left-wing can reclaim those concepts while simultaneously promoting self-determination for and peace between the nations and cultures of the world.