Sunday, August 11, 2013

We are no strangers

One of the stranger results of Snowden's reveal about the NSA - results of which there are many - has to do with nationalism. Specifically, European nationalism. Even more specifically, European nationalism visavi the the European Union.

Now, as you might imagine, the revelation that the NSA spies on just about anything worth and/or possible to spy on has sparked quite an uproar just about everywhere. The obvious result is of course that people are very much less supportive of American pre-emptive security measures in general - being the pre-empted terrorists and all. The less obvious result is that there's a sudden surge in pro-EU sentiments in certain circles. Nationalist circles.

Especially in the smaller countries.

Being a nationalist of a small country is a strange thing. On the one hand, it means that you are part of a very exclusive group of people, and that you can turn this very smallness into a source of pride. On the other hand, it also means that you really can't count on the support of a huge military machine in your nationalist endeavor - that goes with the whole smallness thing.

Another thing that goes with the nationalist package is a hefty dose of skepticism about the whole EU project. The "we are the best" mentality only includes so many people, after all, and the prospect of gradually becoming one with the rest of Europe is a bit too inclusive. Smallness and exclusivity, you know.

So. The Snowden reveal kicks into effect, and the US suddenly looms that much larger in the overall threat assessment of the present. What happens should they look hither and decide that we are the threat? We and what army are gonna stop them if they get any ideas?

Suddenly, the EU seems like that much more of a good idea.

We are living in strange times, and strange things are afoot. In the strangest of ways.

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