Single Idea 23130

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 14. Nationalism]

Full Idea

Popular imperialism is the cosmopolitanism of the poor, the lever by which the small and impotent come to believe that their acts have world historical meaning.

Gist of Idea

Popular imperialism gives the poor the belief that their acts have world historical meaning

Source

Adam Gopnik (A Thousand Small Sanities [2019], 2)

Book Reference

Gopnik,Adam: 'A Thousand Small Sanities' [riverrun 2019], p.96


A Reaction

It is not only the poor who like imperialism. The focus of this popular attitude is the armed forces, and especially the army, where personal bravery is most obvious. The army gets strong support, no matter how dubious are its activities.