The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-07-01 / 7. szám
Prague »LVOV Vol. 12. No. 1. June, 1984 DESTRUCTIVE NATIONALISM Nationalism, a movement in which the nation-state is regarded as paramount for the realization of social, economic and cultural aspirations of a people, was the prime moving force in the evolution of modern Europe in the 19th century. Even now, in our times, when the creation of nation-states is past history, nationalism remained an important force in maintaining and promoting the image and ideal of nation-states. Surprisingly enough, nationalism flared up in the last 35 years in countries, the existence, political, social and economic system of which has been built upon the theory of the unity and power of the international working class and where nationalism is considered as a sin of the extinguished “bourgeois” societies. But not so. Nationalism in some of the communist governed countries is stronger than ever. Only the targets of nationalism changed, and started to change already in the period between the two wars. While originally natiónalism was working against a dominating foreign power, 20th century nationalism, particularly the socialist (communist)type of it, has turned against the national minorities of a country, against those who do not belong to the majority nation. But not all the socialist countries follow that practice, proving in some degree that nationalism does not necessarily derive out of communist practices. We venture to say that the main source of the socialist-nationalism is themuch maligned, “oldfashioned”, “bourgeois” nationalism which is very much alive in the communist leadership of some countries. Another source is likely to be the general idea of regimentation of the population which challenges the communist leaders to use the excellent opportunity of having all the power of the state in one hand to solve nagging minority problems with force by denying education in and public usage of the mothertongue, thereby accelerating and forcing the process of assimilation. Thirdly, because communism prefers to use slogans for problemsolving, the life-and-death struggle of the minorities for survival, has been painted over also with a slogan which fallaciously states that there is no minority problem in communist countries because it was solved in the spirit of the Leninist minority laws. Thus because the Leninist policy must be correct, any complaint of the nationalities of bad treatment must be, according to the communist logic, actually refutation of Lenin’s minority policies, and, by extension, refutation of the communist doctrines all together. That is, of course, a crime against the state and socialism at all which is heavily punishable. The way of thinking, just described, approximates the reality how today Rumania, and somewhat differently Czechoslovakia treat their national minorities, particularly Hungarians. Interesting is, however, how Hungary treats its small number of German, Slovak and Rumanian minorities. Hungary consistently improves and expands schooling in the nationalities’ mothertongue even for those who forgot the language of their ancestors long ago and speak Hungarian in the family. And it does despite of all the cultural and educational curtailments of the large number of Hungarians living in the neighboring countries by the measures of the Trianon peace treaty. **« Rumania was a late-comer on the European scene as an independent nation. Although two Rumanian principalities, Wallachia and Moldavia had existed since the 14th century on the southern and eastern slopes of the Carpathian Mountains, a united Rumanian state has not been formed any earlier than the second half of the 19th century. But once unification of the two provinces was completed and a new state, Rumania came into being in 1859, nationalism played an ever increasing role in the political life of the new state. Soon turned out that an expansive type of nationalism dominates the Rumanian scenery and the subject of expansion is the acqusition of Eastern Hungary, including Transylvania. It is true there were moderate Rumanian elements who accepted the historical reality of living in Hungary and tried to make the most out of what that country was able to do in accomodating reasonable Rumanian expectation from the coexistence. But the influence of more IN THIS ISSUE: Destructive Nationalism............................... 1 The truth about "The Truth ..."................ 4 The Reformed Church of Rumania under oppression............................................... 5 Books.............................................................. 6 Press Review.................................................. 8 Rev. Géza Pálfl tortured to death............... 8
