Nationalism vs. Patriotism

IN every Western newspaper commentary on Eastern Europe one now invariably reads that there is a grave danger of something called ``nationalism'' reviving in this region. But what on earth does this mean? Does it mean that people are again proud to be Czech, Polish, Hungarian or, for that matter, German? That hearts lift at sight of the flag and throats tighten when they sing the national anthem. Patriotism is not nationalism. Rediscovered pride in your own nation does not necessarily imply hostility to other nations.