[fwdpropaganda]

> ¹ By irrationally, I mean what Orwell describes - defending actions they would never defend in other countries and ignoring inconvenient facts

I just wanted to comment on your use of "irrational". That's a bad definition (meaning no connection with how people use the word). Every nationalist in every nation attacks others for things that they themselves would do if it benefited them. If the attacks work it's very rational.

[icebraining]

I agree that it can be used as a rational tactic, but I don't think it's the case here; as Orwell mentions, it's more of a process of self-deception. It doesn't actually work - those I know can't even convince their fellow party members.