In this essay; http://eprints.utas.edu.au/788/1/OMNI.20.2.07, the author writes about the way one could create a national index for formulating national identity – as well he identifies the key components of a strong national identity which includes political stability and many other factors. His concluding formula has my brain spinning in circles once he starts mentioning ‘the vector of the error’, ‘exogenous concepts’ and ‘matrixes’ – so instead I figured I’d post the key parts so a formula for national identity could be derived (its very Orwellian).
- Propaganda (Freedom of the Press?)
- Moral Superiority (Caused by ‘moral decency’)
- The Age of the Nation (Population will do in NS’s cases)
- Lack of Private Conversation (Surveillance will end this)
- Lack of Tourism & Commerce
- Obliteration of Individualism (Civil Rights?)
- Appraisal of National Heroes, Figures.
- National Security (Defense)
- Lower Political Freedoms (to stabilize the government)
- Strong, Stable Economy
- No internal conflicts (less crime)
Now, I have no intention of making a ‘Most National Identified Nation’ ranking so much as, ‘Most Xenophobic Nation’ ranking. Which I think would be interested, because National Identity is considered the prevailing factor in National Xenophobia.
The inverse would make a good, ‘Most International Accepting Nation’ ranking, I suppose.
What do you think!?