This was inspired by another thread.
Previously, I certainly considered myself nationalistic. I served my country by purchasing stuff. I even watched a number of bad TV shows on Military Intelligence, which I expect, would have an even higher number of people with a strong sense of nationalism. After all, you must be willing to watch things which can, sometimes, be considered morally questionable (soft core and all that it entails) by merit of believing your side is in the right.
As I have gotten older, I have wondered if nationalism is all it is cracked up to be.
Nationalism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles. --Sum dude.
It seems a common theme in some circles to somehow suggest an opponent is inferior by questioning their Nationalism. "Why do you hate New Jersey?" This accusation often times has little to no relevance to the issue or the particular stance on that issue.
Besides, it seems to me possible one could be unnational without hating one's country. One could feel that no one country is above the others.
What exactly does Nationalism not mean and why is it something to strive not for?
First you have to decide what is a Nation. If it means nothing to you, than nationalism is not for you.
It is not about what it means. It is about what it does not, not mean.