AUGUST19, 2019 INDIATODAY 51

A GUARANTOR

OF LIBERALISM

A

N UNFORTUNATE TROPE

among the global liberal elite is

the demonisation of patriotism.

Often, extremist nationalist

groups of the 20th century,

such as the Nazis, or the Italian

Fascists, are used as examples

to try and make us wary of

patriotism and patriots. Of

course, the Nazis, Italian

Fascists and their ilk merit strong opprobrium. But using them

repeatedly to tar patriotism itself is, honestly, unfortunate. What

would you call those who use the examples of Mao and Stalin—the

worst mass-murderers of the 20th century—to tar all Marxists, or

those who cite genocidal maniacs like Timur, Alauddin Khilji and

Aurangzeb to argue that all of Islam is fanatical? Patently biased,

right? Why is it different for patriotism?

One may argue—why bother with liberal harangues on patrio-

tism when liberalism itself seems to be losing the argument globally

and nationalists seem to be winning? Because in this age of global

information flows, high immigration and multi-cultural exchange,

liberalism is needed more than ever. And a democratic nation-state

is the best defender of liberalism in the present day. It is critical for

liberals to realise that it is in their own selfish interest to defend

patriotism as well as the nation-state.

Why is the democratic nation-state important for liberalism?

Without the order enforced by a strong institution, the rights of

individuals become extremely difficult to uphold. Take child rights:

a child’s right to life, security, education, food and health. If the in-

stitution of the family itself collapses, no

amount of ‘societal or activist’ interven-

tion can adequately compensate. Child

rights become theoretical in the absence

of a family that protects and supports

children. Recall the Rotherham sexual

abuses. Over a 20-year period beginning

in the late 1990s, approximately 1,400

young, mostly white girls in this Brit-

ish town experienced systematic rape,

abuse, violence and forced abortions at

the hands of mostly Pakistani-British

men. It’s horrific. Such a large number

of young, vulnerable girls, abused over

such a long period. It is believed that

many in the local police and activist

circles knew, but remained silent. They

feared being accused of racism, keeping

in mind the identity of the criminals.

But the real shocker lies elsewhere—

what were the families of these poor

girls doing? Why didn’t they protect

their children? The first line of defence

of young, vulnerable children is their

parents. But unfortunately, often in the

blind pursuit of individualism, fam-

ily structures have seen an erosion in

so-called modern times. And as a result,

these children didn’t have the sanctuary

A STRONG NATION-STATE, FOUNDED ON PATRIOTIC

BELIEF, IS THE SUREST DEFENCE OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

BY AMISH