Heroic Failure

1. Brexit: A Fusion of Imperial Nostalgia and Imagined Oppression

The incoherence of the new English nationalism that lies behind Brexit is that it wants to be both simultaneously.

Imperial nostalgia meets victim complex. Brexit represents a paradoxical fusion of two seemingly incompatible narratives: the desire to reclaim Britain's imperial greatness and the perception of Britain as an oppressed nation under EU rule. This contradiction stems from the unresolved trauma of losing an empire and the need to find a new identity in a post-imperial world.

Imaginary oppression as political fuel. The Brexit movement capitalized on a sense of imagined oppression by the EU, despite the UK's privileged position within the union. This narrative of victimhood allowed for the mobilization of nationalist sentiments and the promise of liberation from a non-existent tyranny.

Key elements of this fusion:

• Nostalgia for imperial power and global influence
• Perception of EU membership as a form of colonization
• Reframing of economic and political realities through the lens of oppression
• Appeal to both imperial pride and underdog status

2. The Paradox of Self-Pity in English National Identity

Self-pity thus combines two things that may seem incompatible: a deep sense of grievance and a high sense of superiority.

The duality of English self-perception. Brexit reveals a paradoxical self-image within English national identity: a simultaneous belief in inherent superiority and a deep-seated sense of victimhood. This combination allows for the indulgence in self-pity while maintaining a belief in national greatness.

Historical roots of self-pity. The cultivation of self-pity in English national identity can be traced back to the loss of empire and the perceived lack of recognition for Britain's role in World War II. This sentiment has been nurtured and exploited by political forces to create a narrative of national decline and the need for resurgence.

Manifestations of this paradox:

• Exaggeration of EU influence and control over British affairs
• Romanticization of past glories and achievements
• Perception of unfair treatment by international institutions
• Desire for both isolation and global significance

3. Heroic Failure: From Empire to Brexit

Brexit is a strange hybrid – a genuine national revolution against a phoney oppressor.

The allure of glorious defeat. The English tradition of celebrating heroic failures, from the Charge of the Light Brigade to Scott of the Antarctic, has found a new expression in Brexit. This cultural tendency to romanticize defeat and struggle has been repurposed to frame the decision to leave the EU as a noble, if potentially disastrous, endeavor.

Reimagining national identity. Brexit represents an attempt to redefine English national identity in the absence of empire and in the context of a diminished global role. By casting the EU as an oppressor and Brexit as an act of liberation, proponents tap into a deeply ingrained narrative of resistance and resilience.

Key aspects of heroic failure in Brexit:

• Framing of EU membership as a form of national humiliation
• Celebration of potential economic hardships as necessary sacrifices
• Invocation of historical struggles against continental powers
• Romanticization of isolation and self-reliance

4. The Power of Trivial Grievances in Brexit Rhetoric

This is not as trivial as it sounds.

Magnification of minor irritations. Brexit rhetoric often focused on seemingly trivial issues, such as regulations on prawn cocktail crisps or the shape of bananas, and inflated them into symbols of EU oppression. This strategy tapped into a deeper well of resentment and frustration with perceived loss of sovereignty.

The politics of the mundane. By focusing on everyday items and regulations, Brexit campaigners were able to make abstract concepts of sovereignty and bureaucracy tangible to the average voter. This approach allowed for an emotional connection to the issue that transcended more complex economic and political arguments.

Examples of trivial grievances in Brexit rhetoric:

• EU regulations on food products and packaging
• Standardization of weights and measures
• Perceived interference in British traditions and customs
• Bureaucratic red tape and its impact on small businesses

5. Sadopopulism: Pain as Political Currency in Brexit

Brexit is often explained as populism, but it is driven more by what Timothy Snyder in The Road to Unfreedom calls 'sadopopulism', in which people are willing to inflict pain on themselves so long as they can believe that, in the same moment, they are making their enemies hurt more.

The politics of shared suffering. Brexit embodies a form of sadopopulism, where supporters are willing to endure economic hardship and social disruption if they believe it will cause greater pain to perceived enemies or elites. This mindset transforms potential negative consequences into badges of honor and signs of commitment to the cause.

Displacement of responsibility. By focusing on the pain inflicted on "others" – be they EU bureaucrats, immigrants, or domestic "elites" – Brexit supporters can justify their own suffering as necessary and noble. This allows for the continuation of support even in the face of clear negative consequences.

Key elements of sadopopulism in Brexit:

• Willingness to accept economic downturn as a price for sovereignty
• Celebration of hardship as a sign of national resilience
• Belief that EU member states will suffer more from Brexit than the UK
• Framing of opposition to Brexit as unpatriotic or treasonous

6. The Medieval Imaginary and the Myth of Vassalage

Given the fact of servitude, the feudal relationship is the only tolerable one.

Romanticization of medieval power structures. Brexit rhetoric often invoked medieval concepts of sovereignty and vassalage, framing the UK's relationship with the EU in terms of feudal subservience. This anachronistic language tapped into deep-seated notions of national pride and independence.

The allure of simplistic hierarchies. By framing complex international relationships in terms of medieval power dynamics, Brexit proponents offered a simplistic and emotionally resonant narrative of oppression and liberation. This allowed for the bypassing of more nuanced discussions about the realities of modern global interdependence.

Elements of medieval imagery in Brexit discourse:

• Use of terms like "vassal state" to describe EU membership
• Invocation of historical battles and conflicts with continental powers
• Romanticization of national sovereignty as analogous to feudal independence
• Portrayal of EU bureaucrats as modern-day overlords

7. The Resurgence of English Identity and Its Political Implications

The most dramatic evolution of national identity in Britain in the last two decades is the resurfacing of the idea of England as a distinct political community.

The awakening of English nationalism. Brexit has both revealed and accelerated the resurgence of a distinct English national identity, separate from the broader concept of Britishness. This shift has profound implications for the future of the United Kingdom and its constituent nations.

Political realignment along national lines. The rise of English nationalism has led to a realignment of political allegiances, with traditional left-right divisions being superseded by questions of national identity and sovereignty. This has challenged established political parties and created new fault lines in British politics.

Key aspects of resurgent English identity:

• Increased self-identification as English rather than British
• Growing support for English-specific political institutions
• Correlation between strong English identity and support for Brexit
• Tension between English nationalism and the maintenance of the UK

8. Brexit as Displacement: The Misdirection of English Discontent

Deeply disaffected with Westminster and Whitehall, England-without-London unleashed its fury on Brussels and Strasbourg.

Redirected frustrations. Brexit served as a vehicle for expressing deep-seated frustrations with domestic political institutions and social changes. By focusing on the EU as the source of national problems, the Brexit movement redirected anger away from Westminster and onto a more distant and easily vilified target.

The limits of symbolic rebellion. While Brexit provided a cathartic moment of rebellion for many English voters, it fails to address the underlying issues of political representation and economic inequality that fueled discontent. The displacement of these frustrations onto the EU may ultimately leave the root causes unaddressed.

Factors contributing to the displacement of English discontent:

• Lack of distinct English political institutions within the UK
• Growing regional inequalities and sense of neglect outside London
• Perception of a disconnected political elite in Westminster
• Erosion of traditional industries and ways of life in many English regions

Last updated: August 21, 2024