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If nationalism is the assertion of legitimacy for a nation and its effectiveness as a political entity, why do many nations emphasize images of their own defeat in understanding their history? Using Israel, Serbia, France, Greece and Ghana as examples, the author argues that this phenomenon exposes the ambivalence that lurks behind the passions nationalism evokes. Symbols of defeat glorify a nation's ancient past, while reenacting the destruction of that past as a necessary step in constructing a functioning modern society. As a result, these symbols often assume a foundational role in national mythology. Threats to such symbols are perceived as threats to the nation itself and consequently are met with desperation difficult for outsiders to understand.

Nationalism --- National characteristics --- Crises --- Memory --- Collective memory --- Political messianism --- History --- Psychological aspects --- Social aspects --- Messianism, Political --- Messianism --- Characteristics, National --- Identity, National --- Images, National --- National identity --- National images --- National psychology --- Psychology, National --- Anthropology --- Social psychology --- Ethnopsychology --- Exceptionalism --- Retention (Psychology) --- Intellect --- Psychology --- Thought and thinking --- Comprehension --- Executive functions (Neuropsychology) --- Mnemonics --- Perseveration (Psychology) --- Reproduction (Psychology) --- Change --- Collective remembrance --- Common memory --- Cultural memory --- Emblematic memory --- Historical memory --- National memory --- Public memory --- Social memory --- Group identity --- History. --- Memory. --- Social Sciences --- Political Science --- Nationalism - History --- National characteristics - Memory --- Crises - Psychological aspects - History --- Memory - Social aspects - History --- Collective memory - History --- Political messianism - History