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THE POLITICAL THEORY OF NATIONALISM
'Nationalism' means two things: a theory and a practice. As a political theory - that each 'nation' should have its own 'state' in
which to enable its people to grow, develop, and to thrive along lines which suit them. Nationalism rose to prominence in the
nineteenth century. This is the general broad principle, and it leads to a further refinement once you have a recognized state. The
refinement is what is particularly relevant to today's Bahamas. In practice the refinement is based in the belief that one's own
ethnic or national tradition is especially valuable and needs to be defended at almost any cost through creation, preservation or
extension of its own nation-state. We simply wish to apply this in the preservation of the Bahamas as our state, in our image.
Nationalism is a powerful reality which can empower large numbers of ordinary people.
Nationalism is a movement which seeks to further advance and preserve the interests of its own 'nation-state' regardless of other
lesser considerations.
Nationalism arises and is most useful chiefly where and when a particular ethnicity or nation feels itself threatened in regard
to its own proper existence, character, extent or importance, either by external attack such as outside enemies, internal threats
such as unrestricted immigration or by the failure to protect its interest by the state system of which it has hitherto formed part.
The Bahamas is under threat both from external and internal attacks, not of a warlike nature, but more insidious ones, of which
unrestricted immigration is one, and creeping Regionalism is another.

Nationalism centrally encompasses two phenomena:
(1) The attitude that the members of a nation have when they care about their identity as members of that nation and
(2) The actions that a nation takes in seeking to achieve (or sustain) some form of political sovereignty in the face of threats to
subjugate it.

The degree of care for one's nation that is required by Nationalists is often taken to be very high: according to such views, the
claims of one's nation take precedence over rival contenders for authority and loyalty (see Berlin 1979, Smith 1991, Levy 2000, and
the discussion in Gans 2003).

THE EXPRESSION OF BAHAMIAN NATIONALISM

The Bahamian National Party ( BNP) considers that the values, traditions and beliefs of the Bahamas are especially valuable and the interests

of the Bahamian people deserve to be protected and advanced.

We believe that there should exist a specific political entity dedicated solely to the defense of the vital interest of the Bahamian people in the

face of all other considerations.

The BNP states that there can be no doubt that we have a God given right to collective self-determination. The Bahamian National Party ( BNP)

is a party of goodwill and high moral and ethical principles, committed to developing a free, productive and benevolent Bahamian society, one in

which Bahamians can strive freely to become the best that they can be.

To achieve this the BNP will continually strive for social, political, economic and constitutional reform directed at ensuring that the archipelago

of the Bahamas remains a fitting homeland for Bahamians forever!

We believe that Bahamians as a group can best flourish in this specific national community. It is here that the critical concepts of being

Bahamian can best be acquired. This Commonwealth of The Bahamas nurtures the Bahamian identity through its unique social setting and the

cultural context.

The Bahamian National Party considers that the very identity of each Bahamian depends on the integrity of this political and social entity, and

upon our individual unhindered participation in its communal life.

Despite Majority rule being achieved in 1967, and Political Independence from Britain in 1973, successive governments have failed to

empower Bahamians economically, diversify the Bahamian economy, complete Bahamian Land reform, move the political culture forward, and in

general advance the country and its people to a

point where Nationalism can take a back seat to regionalism and Internationalism.

The abandonment of the early gains of Nationalism on the altar of political power and control was

accompanied by an undue and unnecessary

reliance on what is best described as 'the Tourist Plantation' an economic model designed by the Bay St. Boys, to

freeze in place the system

whereby they, a minority, could forever control the

mass of the population

, a, ignorant

servant class, easily dominated and controlled by a

minority elite.

The post independence political leaders to assume government, all nurtured in the same PLP litter have in short order merely

modified this Bay St. Philosophy. Nationalism was toned down, then abandoned. They have all retreated into ensuring an educational and

economic limitation, conducive to the development of a cult of political personality around a maximum leader.

The Bahamas is today little more than a constitutional dictatorship with virtually no significant constitutional changes from the generic starter

constitution which the British used throughout their imperial domain to rid them of the now expensive burdens of their imperialist past. Without

a true period of nationalism of at least fifteen years in which to complete what was begun in the immediate post independence era, Bahamians will

return in short order to their general station in life of the 1950's.

This time however, instead of British domination, it will be Corporate domination by some multinational Non Government Organization or

giant company. This entity or combination of such entities will operate through a screen of immigrants and natives intent only on corporate

profits. These persons will be kept in government so that their policies can keep the Bahamian in a dependant situation, undereducated and

economically deficient. This will ensure that the Tourist plantation, the virtual entire source of funds, runs in concert with its Caribbean clones.

We may already be in that position!

The best of Bahamians, our most talented sons and daughters will only be able to aspire to EMIGRATE!

This is what we face, without an

immediate return to the unfinished business which can only be truly accomplished under a Nationalist Philosophy.

We have to begin somewhere and Immigration Control, not liberalization, is where we must start.

This Party is needed if we are to survive as a

people with a heritage and a bright future.

We need all our resources if we are to prepare properly to play in the next higher league of Regionalism.

The BNP government will strive to create an open society in which people will be free to express their opinions without fear, including criticism

of all aspects of government, the legislature, judiciary, administration, as well as of all public and private institutions.

Since Independence the Bahamas has been governed by political entities who have lost their way, have become mired in corruption, cronyism,

and empty promises. The country has accumulated a massive government debt, is being subjected to excessive taxation. There has been abuse of

power, victimization, greed, censorship, misuse and misappropriation of government funds. Government continues to grow, expand and become

more inefficient, instead of becoming smaller and more efficient.

Since Independence, successive governments have deceived our youth, exploited their predicament and failed to involve our young people in

our political system and environment. Our youth have been dropped off the national agenda resulting in loss of positive motivation, alienation

from the mainstream, descent into poverty, hopelessness, despair and gang activity.

The Bahamian National Party will utilize resources and implement policies to correct this situation, redirect our youth and bring them back into

the mainstream.

By integrating our youth with our adult population, the BNP will bring about the essential linkage between our youth and adult

population, so that our culture and heritage can be transmitted to successive generations of proud Bahamians.

The BNP and its leaders are committed to the highest moral and ethical ideals. We will continually strive to preserve the reputation of this party

and its leaders as honest upholders of the truth, democracy and human rights.

We believe that without a Bahamian National party in government the Bahamas is in grave danger of becoming a land in which Bahamians are

increasingly marginalised, that without our policies and programs Bahamians will inevitably descend into being servants only in their own country.

Only you can avert this fate by joining and working with us.

Our legacy will be the continuation of this Nation as a place for the permanent

development of our people as the best that they can be in a nation of their own.