‘The Dark Side of Nationalism’: Fatal Flaw or Convenient Myth? (Yes for EU)

Talk by Stephen Reicher, Wardlaw Professor of Psychology at the University of St. Andrews.

Whenever independence is discussed, someone will invoke ‘the dark side of nationalism’ as a counter-argument. There is no doubt that history is replete with examples, but is xenophobia and racism a necessary component of all nationalism or else a feature only of some? And if the latter, what are the conditions under which nationalism turns toxic? In this talk, I will consider the psychology of nationalism and inter-national relations. I will discuss the relationship between nationalism and racism. And I will examine how accusations regarding the ‘dark side of nationalism’ have been used and misused in the independence debate.