I abhor nationalism. In theory, and in practice. Speaking personally – my nation is very close to my sense of identity. I am distressed when it is attacked. I dread losing to another nation in any sport. I do not feel proud of this. Indeed I dislike the emotions, which seem to me raw. animal and violent.

And clearly, nationalism simply divides. It has led to some of the grossest abandonments of love decency and humanity. Whether nationalism lite, such as the trolling by Scots Nats or the full fat versions of National Socialism or even the British Empire and slavery.

Why then do I identify so intensely with my “nation”? I wonder whether this relates to Bowlby’s attachment theory. I do know that I am not completely securely “attached”. I wonder if I and others like me then transfer their attachment from their primary caregiver (for me, my mother) to their nation?

I wonder then if there is a correlation between those who support nationalism and insecure personal attachment?

“Love of a country /Begins as attachment to our own field of action /And comes to find that action of little importance” ts eliot

Surely we can all see the pure wrongness of nationalism? Always used by politicians to stir the dregs of our psyche .. all to keep them in power. Wrung from the pain or ordinary folk.

Hitler. Putin. Stalin. We all know where these forms of nationalism ended.

.. but what about Scotland? What is the point of this form of nationalism anyway? That would risk the opening of this Pandora’s Box? Independence. From what? For what? To do what?

It sure stirs me up, Down to the sewers of my psyche. The buttons they push evoke my Englishness. I absolutely loathe the jingoistic feeling that Scots Nastiness evokes. I refuse to become an English Nationalist in response to Scottish nationalism.

I hold that love of country is attachment to our own little field of action, and I hold this to be of little importance compared to. For instance..

Climate change. Poverty. Materialism. Humanity itself.

T