FFWD Weekly
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Viewpoint by Hamish MacAulay Obviously drunk, his country's flag painted on his shaved chest, the muscular male screams out his love for his native land. A British or German soccer fan or a Canadian celebrating his nation's contrived birthday, they are all the face of modern nationalism. Spurred by alcohol and marketing/cultural event money, Canadians will celebrate Canada Day this weekend. Recently sworn-in citizens, die-hard nationalists and those good at math could tell you what birthday we are celebrating (133). The rest of us are there for the bands, the hot dogs and the fireworks. Lesson number one in nationalism school is you can not have a nation without a big party at least once a year. On July 1, no one can doubt Canadians love their country. The rest of the year, we get on with our lives and leave worrying about our national sense of identity to federal politicians, the CBC and folks with the money and time to stare at our national navel. Canada does not have the history or overpowering social norms required to foster the true force known as nationalism. We do have the type of society needed to prosper in a world dominated by the forces of globalization. Demonstrations of tribalism by drunken males are a worldwide phenomenon, and Canada has that global force squarely on its side. No matter how hard the CBC tries, however, Canada fails to meet the basic definition of nationalism. According to Merriam-Webster, nationalism is a national consciousness that puts your nation, its culture and interests, ahead of any other nation or group. Canadians are not a homogeneous population with a single language or cultural identity. Our development did not include the unifying forces of revolution, isolation, or civil or external conflict. At least one of these elements is needed to create a forceful national consciousness. Canadians may have a vague national consciousness, but, if we do, we fail on the latter part of the definition. Canadians, more than any other western nation, are ready to dump all other interests in the name of financial betterment. Do not despair, it means we are well prepared for the next century and the ultimate triumph of pure economic gain over all other forms of human motivation. If you are offended by this less-than-emotional view of Canada, do not forget the primary motivating forces that created this nation – avoiding an American-style civil war and creating a free-trade zone among the remaining British colonies in North America. No one could confuse it with a Mel Gibson movie, but Canada today has far more in common with its birth from economic necessity than America has with the principles of the American Revolution. The U.S. and Canada are the connected juxtapositions of nationalism. Formed by a history of struggle and revolution, America is the icon of nationalism. Despite Louis Riel's best efforts, Canada developed without the angst that formed the American consciousness. Living next to the colossus of America and all that it entails – from common cultural development to never having to defend ourselves from an external threat – has stunted our nationalism. It has also helped us foster a reputation as a peaceful society. The image of the peaceful Canadian is confusing for anyone who has seen a Western Hockey League game or spent a Saturday night in a typical Canadian bar. A national identity should not be confused with individual or personal characteristics. Lacking the deep common bonds (or brainwashing) required to produce consistent answers to the question of nationalism, Canadians often describe their national spirit in personal terms. We describe our country through our individual experiences and beliefs. In the States, no such individual terms are required. In the land of the free, national identity is a common endeavour and individualistic views are discouraged. Today's multi-cultural versus assimilation debate is simply an extension of these national identities. The strong national identity in the U.S. demands assimilation. Canadian culture lacks that forcefulness. It has proven capable of accepting deep personal variations in people's national perspective, but the ties that bind are weaker. You can not have it both ways. Fortunately, for those of us who are nationalism-challenged, globalization will break down many of the forces that sustain nationalism and all that will be left on the national carcass will be icons and images for marketing companies to exploit. Here, beer companies already wrap the Canadian identity up in neat marketing campaigns. Is Canada selling the beer or is the beer selling Canada? The latest statistics show that beer comprised over 80 per cent of the alcohol sold in Canada last year. You tell me who is selling what.

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