As the text discusses, nationalism has been both a positive and negative force in world politics; it has helped unite communities under a common cause while at the same time bringing violence, death, and destruction to the world. While most can agree that nationalism is not inherently evil, much more controversy exists when deciding the limits of nationalism and patriotism. More specifically, it is a matter of when nationalism goes too far. Deciding on where to draw this line is clearly a matter of debate.

A recent case on the U.S.-Mexican border illustrates this debate well. In March and April 2005 the world focused on a 23-mile Arizona border where a group of 1,500 self-selected private citizens, volunteers if you will, gathered to assist officials and border control in immigration law enforcement. With the peak border-crossing season about to start, San Pedro Valley in Arizona is particularly vulnerable--of the 1.1 million illegal immigrants caught by the Border Patrol last year, 51% crossed into the country at the Arizona border. According to the organizers of the Minutemen Project, the volunteers (some of them armed) are simply there to observe and monitor the porous border and then to alert Border Patrol when any illegal immigrants are spotted. Officially, the group is committed to nonviolence and avoiding confrontation. But many are wondering if this civilian law enforcement is taking nationalism too far, that is could become a motivating force for hatred, violence, and even death. Are the Minutemen a case of nationalism gone awry?

Yes: The Dark Side of Nationalism

Critics of the civilian law-enforcement squads are worried that such groups will turn a healthy pride in country to feelings of prejudice and hatred, where xenophobia (the suspicion, dislike, and fear of other nationalities) begins to take over the hearts and minds of Americans. Thus while the volunteers insist they will simply "observe" the new arrivals' movements and alert the U.S. Border Patrol, human rights groups and civil liberties organizations fear the eruption of vigilante violence and aggression. Many argue that the project may attract anti-immigrant racists and vigilantes looking to confront illegal immigrants. At least one white supremacist group has mentioned the project on its Web site. Further, critics are concerned that such groups will feed American sentiments of superiority and exceptionalism that will have lasting effects on the countless legal immigrants already living and working in the United States . Also of concern is the impact these organizations will have on U.S.-Mexican relations, particularly in terms of encouraging Mexico 's cooperation with the already operating and legally sanctioned U.S. border control. From this perspective, the potential drawbacks and long-term ramifications of privately organized law enforcement groups significantly outweigh their supposed ability to assist Border Patrol.

No: The Positives Still Outweigh the Negatives

The proponents of the Minutemen Project see it as patriotism at its best. All volunteers pay their own way to participate, often leaving jobs and families behind for the several weeks they are on patrol. By taking action and drawing attention to important issues like immigration, individual citizens are promoting democracy and the idea that the state is the property of its citizens. The logic is that nationalism, at least insofar as it is rooted in the notion of popular sovereignty, promotes the idea that political power legitimately resides with the people and that governors exercise that power only as the agents of the people. According to the Minuteman field operations director Chris Simcox, the project is "the nation's largest neighborhood watch group," with one of its goals to make the public aware of how porous the border is. Thus the very nature of such a volunteer organization symbolizes national unity and love for country. From this perspective, nationalism is only serving to strengthen the country's resolve in resistance against foreign enemies.

While people have almost always identified with one group or another, nationalism and our attitudes about it have continued to evolve over time. It is important that we continue to question both the short- and long-term implications of nationalistic feelings and whether or not there should be limits to such sentiments. Who is nationalism good for? Who really benefits? The links below will help you to better flesh out answers to these questions and understand the case study of the U.S. Minutemen.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/30/national/main684121.shtml
“Armed Volunteers To Patrol Border” – Report from CBS News.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43859
Border Patrol Union Supports Minutemen: Says it has no complaints about monitors…” – News report from WorldNetDaily.

http://www.minutemanhq.com/hq/index.php
The Official Minutemen Civil Defense Corp Web site.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0404/p01s03-usgn.html
“Private Volunteers Patrol Porous Border” – News analysis from the Christian Science Monitor.