ABSTRACT
The sense of nationality is, nevertheless, a reality, although nationality itself can scarcely be defined, as Renan discovered, save in terms of the sense of nationality. The sense of nationality is natural and healthy as the expression of a certain like-mindedness in a group. It has fruits in co-operation, self-respect, and subtleties of character. The claim of a people to cultural autonomy is part of the proper development of human liberty. The sense of nationality only becomes immoral, let people repeat, when the "we-group," constituting a certain nation, regards itself as subject to no higher moral claims; proclaims the nation no part of any larger moral whole; asserts that the interest of this or that particular group is deserving of a paramount and unquestioned allegiance; declines to offer any justification for its claims in terms of some broader rational purpose; and abrogates the universality of the moral law. Public spirit reposes on this community sense.
