A nation doesn't need a mafia to run it (statist). But a nation could be unique enough from its neighbours and the people could have a sense of valuing their own achievements and consider their heritage worth defending (nationalism). When STATES use Nationalism, then you have problems, but without the state to organize wars, you just have people proud of where they are from and willing to protect it. Statism is the culprit.
I would argue that nationalism is the radical branch of the statist religion.
A nation doesn't need a mafia to run it (statist). But a nation could be unique enough from its neighbours and the people could have a sense of valuing their own achievements and consider their heritage worth defending (nationalism). When STATES use Nationalism, then you have problems, but without the state to organize wars, you just have people proud of where they are from and willing to protect it. Statism is the culprit.