This isn't nationalism. Its patriotism. There's a really important difference.

And what's the difference? My dictionary, as well as Wiktionary[0], defines nationalism as "1. Patriotism".

[0] https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/nationalism

Nationalism, in current usage, tends to mean jingoism. The difference between that and patriotism could be described as the same as the difference between love and obsession.

Modern meanings of nationalism are synonymous with jingoism. It was once in the definition list on Wiktionary, but was conveniently removed late last year.

That's an oversimplification that borders on the outright incorrect: https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/patriotism-vs-...

I feel this is a good explanation: https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/an-important-distinction

Nationalism is like rooting for your home team.

Patriotism is like caring for your family.

and if you follow that link, it refers to the 3rd definition of patriotism:

"The desire to compete with other nations; nationalism."

Patriotism is a better fit for this use, as there's the first definition:

"Love of one's country; devotion to the welfare of one's compatriots; passion which inspires one to serve one's country."

Generally, if we're not using literal dictionary definitions, in a political context, nationalism is overpowering patriotism where you want your country to be better than others at all costs. Patriotism is a love for you country and your people.

France does seem to have a deep seated nationalism that I don't understand very well. They care extremely deeply about their cultural works to a degree that does not make sense to me.

"The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does" [0]

Sydney J. Harris

[0] - https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sydney_J._Harris

That seems like a feel-good post-hoc euphemism (but ok, I accept that language evolves).

Either way: how did France (the nation) make any of these artworks? You could argue it was made by anyone in the spectrum ranging from "the artist" to "the humanity". Stopping at France seems arbitrary and a bit... nationalistic.

If any institution "made" them, it's the Catholic Church, not France.

Given that France is "overwhelmingly Roman Catholic" [0], your last statement could be considered interchangeable. Perhaps (and I'm not French, so I don't know) many of the people consider them to be one and the same. Either way, it's a reasonable point that you made.

[0] - https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/...

I see what you mean too, but:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La%C3%AFcit%C3%A9

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dechristianization_of_France_d...

Assuming you're American this is the most hilariously ironic comment I've ever seen on HN.

Americans are some of most obnoxiously nationalistic people I've ever encountered. Note: I've lived both in Paris, and also NY and California (14 years in the US). Only in the US do you hear mobs of nationalistic folk chanting "USA USA." I've never been in France or the UK and seen similar things. Think about things like Americans boycotting French Fries and calling them "Freedom Fries" when France decided not to join the illegal and immoral Iraq War.

There's an interesting attitude towards the word "nationalism" in US. As you say, it's probably one of the most enthusiastically civic nationalist nation in the world - indeed, to the point where American sociologists have described it as a "civic religion" at times. But the word "nationalism" itself is almost exclusively interpreted as "ethnic nationalism", and has an unambiguously negative vibe. So people who practice civic nationalism describe themselves as "patriots" instead.

We actually had elected officials chanting “USA! USA!” at the last State of the Union Address.

Very fine people on all sides of course.

My favorite part of the "USA! USA!" chant is how seriously non-Americans are about it. Every time I've started or participated in a "USA! USA!" chant it was only about 15% nationalism and 85% a joke. Part of its enchanting humor is how that seems lost on everybody else.

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be."

So part of why it’s “funny” is that it’s offensive to most people who don’t find it funny?

I must admit, you’re the first person I’ve ever heard refer to a USA chant as enchanting.

Sorry, you're writing this complaint about other people's irrational nationalism from the United States?