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Continuing Appeal of Nationalism

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"Genocide, the rationally calculated extermination of human populations designated as legitimated prey, has not been an aberration in an otherwise peaceful march of progress. Genocide has been a prerequisite of that progress..." This quote on the cover is promise of what is on offer in one of Perlman's best essays - an inspiring reminder to us all of the true nature of nationalism and it's practitioners. You might expect it to be a boring political rhetoric littered with jargon. Suprisingly it is a plain description of history as we know it. The interesting bits of controversy are in the points of view taken. Making comparisons with the indian wars of the early years of the United States and the halocaust for example aren't found in most history books. From Hitler to the Zionists and from French Committee of Public Health to the Catholic Church everyone gets his share of the blame in the bloody march of nationalism and progress. Important questions a raised. Can nations exist without genocide? Can progress be made without genocide? Anarchists and tribalists will find plenty a srapnel to hurl at their best marxists and technocrat friends from this useful piece. An important work to be placed aside such anti-left masterpieces as The Animal Farm.