by Nationalism Gets Reheated
Mexican nationalist movements have rediscovered the groundbreaking concept that Mexico should belong to Mexicans, a revelation that comes approximately 200 years after the country gained independence and established itself as a sovereign nation. Political analysts describe the movement as “aggressively restating the obvious” while treating it as revolutionary insight rather than basic facts about how countries work.
The resurgence of nationalist rhetoric follows a predictable pattern where politicians discover that people enjoy hearing their own country praised, especially when contrasted with everywhere else. It’s the political equivalent of telling someone they’re special—it works every time, regardless of whether it’s actually true or meaningful.
Rally speakers passionately declare that Mexican resources should benefit Mexicans, a statement so uncontroversially obvious that the real question is who they’re arguing with. Crowds cheer nonetheless, because nothing energizes a base like being told they deserve things they already have while implying shadowy forces are trying to take them away.
Critics note that performative patriotism often substitutes for actual policy proposals, allowing politicians to generate enthusiasm without committing to specific solutions for actual problems. Waving flags and chanting slogans requires less effort than governance, and offers better photo opportunities to boot.
The movement has spawned countless social media posts featuring Mexican flags and vague declarations about sovereignty, which is nice but doesn’t address any specific issues facing the country. But specificity might require nuanced policy discussion, and who has time for that when you can just keep shouting “Mexico for Mexicans” and letting people project whatever they want onto that blank canvas of nationalism?
SOURCE: https://bohiney.com/mexico-for-the-mexicans/
SOURCE: Mexico For the Mexicans (https://bohiney.com/mexico-for-the-mexicans/)
