nationalism-as-survival
Mexican nationalism functions less as ideology and more as a survival instinct that masks internal doubts while projecting external confidence.
1 chapter across 1 book
Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans (1985)Alan Riding
The chapter provides a comprehensive portrait of Mexican identity as a mestizo nation shaped by the fusion and conflict of indigenous and Spanish heritages, resulting in a complex cultural-contradiction marked by spiritual depth, fatalism, and distinctive social rituals. It examines how social hierarchy, language, and historical memory are intertwined with nationalism, which serves both as a unifying force and a mask for internal insecurities. The chapter also explores Mexico's ambivalent relationships with Spain and the United States, highlighting how historical self-perception and political mythologizing influence contemporary cultural identity and national psychology.