If you’re trying to coax a country into doing something it may not want to do, it often makes sense to talk about national identity. It’s seductive (not for nothing do some 21 per cent of Brits still read their horoscopes, hoping for someone to tell them who they are and what they want), an opportunity for flattery (you’re so stoical and courageous), and a great coercive tool (but you love putting up with unpleasant things – you can show off your national stoicism and courage!)
British governments were once very good at wielding this tool. During the wars of the 19th century it became useful to persuade the British that they were frugal and had stiff upper lips, the better to encourage them through privations and into the thick of battle. It was highly effective – a whole nation was united around the idea it was good at living on semolina and dying of dysentery without a murmur of complaint.
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