If I understand the spirit of the opening question correctly then I would reservedly go for bad. We are all in this together and like it or not the world is now really becoming the global village. Nationalism can pander to the looking after number one philosophy that has caused many problems in the past. There is no reason that people should ensure that there own little corner of the world thrives to the detriment of those in another land. However we do not know how unfettered globalisation would fare either as it is not something that has ever been tried. We do know that unrestricted capitalism does not work and neither does unopposed socialism.

Maybe we should learn from our mistakes and realise that it is the excesses of any one economic model that can work against us? Perhaps we should try properly regulated capitalism or socialism tinged with the reality of a consumer society? Maybe nationalism can work as long as it remains within the confines of what is best for everyone rather than what is best for yourself?

As to patriotism. Well, again, extremes are what we need to guard against. There is nothing wrong with being proud of the achievements of your country, as long as you can honestly lay claim to helping with those achievements. Being patriotic to the extent of believing that your accident of birth is somehow more important or better than someone elses accident of birth seems somewhat futile and often simply confrontational.

Cheers

DtG