Why are some people SO patriotic?

Question

There's nothing wrong with patriotism, but some people are so obsessed with 'being English' etc., to the point where they isolate themselves and don't appreciate other cultures. It is as though the mere fact of a nationality is enough. They don't realise that in actual fact, very, very few people are totally English anyway. And what's the great benefit of this racial purity?

Tabbyfur - I am proud to be English, but I am talking tabout the exremists who isolate themselves and do not attempt to broaden their minds to other worlds, just because these things 'aren't English'.

Answer 1

ethnocentricism.

Answer 2

Sometimes, having or belonging to a group identity emboldens people to the point that they so strongly identify with the group, any criticism or complaint against it becomes a personal attack. It could be a lack of confidence in oneself, or it could be the simple desire to belong to something greater than oneself: two sides of the same coin.

One can also see this kind of identity happening in athletic competitions, where people are such 'fans' of their team that they will hear no ill word said against it, but notice every little detail and mistake about every other team. Look at all the attention countries devote to the World Cup. That combines the inter-social rivalry (players gathered together from different home teams) with inter-nation rivalry so intense that the matches are akin to mini-bloodless wars (except when people get hurt.)

Answer 3

In the UK. The Scott's are Scottish. The Welsh are Welsh. The Irish are Irish and the English are English. We are all proud to be what we are. Why shouldn't we be proud to be English? I'm sure you have only seen, heard or spoken to a minority of people who feel that it's down racial purity. Ask the others and you will see that we DO embrace other cultures and live side by side without issues. We may be a small island but we have around 58,800,000 on this island. That's a lot of people to ask to get their views and I'm sure you have not even dipped your big toe in the water before you have started stating your views.

Answer 4

What I have come to find out is,a lot of people are not as patriotic as they profess,it is simply lip service and a sense of belonging that they are satisfying,in some cases,it may even be an inferiority complex,so the only way they can feel strong is to isolate themselves and point out the minor problems in others,hide their faults,and make themselves feel good.But when it comes to real patriotic service to their country,they will duck,dodge,run and hide from action.

Answer 5

My landlord (English), whom I share the house with Polish, Italians and I am African, always brags about being English, not British and certainly not European. He has done it so much that other people have had to move out of the house as they cannot stand his 'English' nature. I say 'English' because he is no way like the other English people I have met who are more welcoming of other cultures and don't try to shove theirs in people's faces.

It is important to respect the culture of the area one lives in. You don't have to do what the Romans do, but respect it. So, as great as it is to be patriotic of one's own country, let us have respect for each other's country's (culture) as well.

Don't know if I've answered your question or just elaborated on it...

Answer 6

Hello

I guess people become so patriotic because it gives them a sense of security and identity.

Pride can be good, and it can also be bad, and often leads to a fall of some type. Our identity should be fonded on who we are, not necessarily where we live.

Isolating oneself because of this patriotic stance is generally a narrow minded thing to do. And when we put ourselves in a box we are the ones missing out.

Thanks for the question.

(-:

Answer 7

I wouldn't associate it to racial purity, so much, its more like a common ground. It is something that people connect to, some more than others. The strength of the connection depends on the individual's history, family, peers, and experiences.

Answer 8

Patriotism, at its extreme, seems to involve people with what I'd call "simpler minds." In other words, people who like simple, black and white answers to problems or questions that are complex. They like everything nice and neat. For them, it's a matter of "love it or leave it," "Jesus is Lord," etc.

Patriotism in that way also becomes a way to conveniently look at other people as second-rate human beings; phrases like "towel-heads" or "if you're brown, you're down," are just a way of putting one race below another.

Extreme patriotism can also become a form of blind obedience to a leader and refusal to see any of the leader's faults or mistakes.

Answer 9

Some people seem to be. But then again if somebody critisises my country and I think they are in the right I will agree with them. Try this with an American! My family tree in the UK goes back over 1000 years, while I tend to find that the people that bang on about Britain for the British probably aren't aware who there fathers were.

Answer 10

I think its like a pride thing - also the fact that the traditions are being taken away from us right under our noses - people want to hold on to those traditions and everything they have known whilst growing up xxx

Answer 11

It is a rally cry for support.
I don't understand why some people always think that thier country is right.
Viet Nam vet and still asking questions.