Sons of Patriarchy The Roots of Nationalism
Oct 20, 2025
In this discussion, Kevin Vallier, a philosophy professor focused on political thought, and Jerome Copulsky, a research fellow exploring historical religious influences, delve into the roots of nationalism. Vallier examines Catholic integralism and its distinction from Christian nationalism, challenging its coherence and implications for non-Christians. Copulsky uncovers the founders' intentions regarding religion, arguing for a pluralistic constitutional framework. Together, they analyze how these ideologies have evolved and their impact on modern politics.
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What Catholic Integralism Actually Is
- Catholic integralism claims an indirect spiritual sovereignty where the church can deputize the state to enforce spiritual ends.
- That integration makes integralism a quasi-theocratic, international system distinct from modern nationalist projects.
Integralism Is International, Not National
- Integralism is international and often envisions papal authority above national rulers rather than nationalist sovereignty.
- That international focus means integralists can be expansionist and are not committed to ethnic or confined national identities.
Why Protestantism Opposes Coercive Theocrats
- Protestant theological features—voluntary church membership and emphasis on conscience—undermine coercive religious state projects.
- These doctrines make sustained, coherent Christian nationalism philosophically unstable in Protestant contexts.
