Nationalism by Rabindranath Tagore

An important essay+lecture by eminent classic Bengali poet, novelist and philosopher that India had, Rabindranath Tagore, ‘Nationalism’ sustains an air of modernism that is almost unimaginable, in it’s thought and approach, to have been delivered in early twentieth century.
‘OUR REAL PROBLEM in India is not political. It is social. This is a condition not only prevailing in India, but among all nations. I do not believe in an exclusive political interest. Politics in the West have dominated Western ideals, and we in India are trying to imitate you. We have to remember that in Europe, where peoples had their racial unity from the beginning, and where natural resources were insufficient for the inhabitants, the civilization has naturally taken the character of political and commercial aggressiveness. For on the one hand they had no internal complications, and on the other they had to deal with neighbours who were strong and rapacious. To have perfect combination among themselves and a watchful attitude of animosity against others was taken as the solution of their problems. In former days they organized and plundered, in the present age the same spirit continues – and they organize and exploit the whole world.’