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Comment by dvfjsdhgfv | Hacker News Reader

> I'm ashamed

Slightly off-topic, but what should you be ashamed by something that is totally independent from you, that you can't control in any way? Personally I'm ashamed only if I do something wrong myself.

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The whole point if nationalism is to have self-governance in order for people to be able to effect their destiny. If modern nationalistic governments are to be seen as distant and impervious, then how is that different from the imperial era? And if the people do have control over their governments, then why should they not feel shame over not exercising that power constructively?

For some reason the modern democracy focused on a set of traits collectively known as left/progressive and right/conservative. In some countries you basically only can choose between the left and the right with no any other option. Statistically, the government formed by any of these parties will do more things not the way you wanted. So unless you have some significant direct democracy mechanisms like Switzerland, you have no control over most issues, not to mention marginal ones such as an internet protocol used in your country.

Usually when people say they are ashamed of their country/state/municipality/club etc, they are not mentally flagellating themselves averting gaze from the rest of the world while hoping for the ground to swallow them. It is a manner of speech.

Ok, maybe I should exclude clubs...

Same reason why people are proud of things that are totally outside of their influence: tribalism, nationalism etc.

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