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Brexit
By Kate Burch
An aspect of Britain's vote to exit the EU that has been little noted
is its affirmation of national identity.
For decades, entertainers and other utopians have been clamoring for a
world without borders. We are supposed to think that America is
only exceptional in the same way that “the Brits believe in British
exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek
exceptionalism.” We are admonished about overvaluing
Western culture and about using more than our share of the world’s
resources. We can’t object to a flood of illegal migrants
entering our country, endangering us and exploiting our generosity,
because “that’s not who we are.”
The Brits, like many other Europeans, have become heartily sick of
their fortunes and futures being dictated by elites who are far removed
from, and unconcerned with, the realities of their daily
struggles. They understand the mortal danger posed by borders
opened to enemies by those drunk on the lyrics of
"Imagine." I dare say that many of them resent the
denigration and dilution of their identities as British, or French, or
Italian, for example. The same can be said for Americans.
In "Defending Identity: Its Indispensable Role In Protecting Democracy"
(2008), Natan Sharansky movingly makes the case that strong national
and religious identity are vitally important to the strength, vigor,
happiness, and success of individuals and society. In May, the
Wall Street Journal reported that Israel, despite constant threats and
frequent attacks, ranks high in international rankings of happiness and
life satisfaction, lending support to Sharansky's thesis.
The rise of Donald Trump has come about due to many factors, but it
seems that the yearning for proud and positive sense of national
identity, “Making America Great Again,” may be the most
important.
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