A chara, - David Adams (Opinion, April 1st) can't wait to see the back of "nationalism". Its extinction, he asserts, would be "a most laudable political ideal" and, in support, he quotes John Hume's belief that Ireland's struggle for national integration has been superseded by the emergence of a "post-nationalist" EU.
At a time, I thought Mr Hume's claim was rather foolish, considering how conscious other Europeans are of territorial boundaries and national identities. His statement appeared especially foolish in the context of Ireland which has not yet achieved integrated nation status, never mind being ready to join in a "post-national" Europe as an equal.
It seemed to me then, and it still does, that before Ireland can fully take its place with the integrated European nations it must resolve its own internal divisions and disputes about identity, allegiance, culture and values. Only when national re-integration has been accomplished, possibly through the full out-workings of the Belfast Agreement, can Ireland aspire to the "post national" experience, if such will ever be either desirable or beneficial.
As a nationalist, I reject Mr Adams's assertion that nationalism is "exclusive, fragmenting and divisive". Rather, in its normal manifestation, nationalism promotes social solidarity, cohesiveness, harmony, stability, as well as cherishing the individual and family.
Of course, extremes can and have advanced, ostensibly under the cloak of individual ideologies, be that capitalism, socialism or nationalism. But extreme examples are not the norm. In that context, it is dishonest of Mr Adams to try to use the example of Mussolini to smear the reputation of more benign an benevolent forms of nationalism.
The recent death of Pope John Paul II brings to mind the fact that he was also a proud Polish nationalist. This status does not appear to have created a problem when he was dealing with other people. Is Mr Adams suggesting that the late Pope's form of nationalism encouraged "intolerance" or always sought "to dominate"?
While seeking to promote the virtues of a multicultural society, as an alternative to nationalism, Mr Adams ignores abundant evidence from other European countries, including Holland, suggesting that multiculturalism is a seriously flawed ideology. Even in Britain, the socialist Government has been forced to introduce citizenship tests and declaration for immigrants, in an effort to stem the development of parallel societies. - Is mise,
LIAM Ó GÉIBHEANNAIGH, Átha an Ghainimh, Co Átha Cliath.