In her book "War Talk," Arundhati Roy argues that various forms of nationalism were significant contributors to the genocides that occurred during the twentieth century. She suggests that nationalism often leads to a mindset where others are dehumanized, making violence against them more permissible and more likely. This perspective highlights the destructive power of national identity and how it can incite grave acts of brutality.

Roy also uses the metaphor of flags to illustrate how governments manipulate symbols to control people's thoughts and emotions. She believes that flags serve not only as representations of national pride but also as tools to unite people under a singular identity, often at the expense of others. Ultimately, in her view, these flags can symbolize both the rallying of support for national causes and the mourning of those lost to nationalistic violence.