Why do people feel patriotic?

Question

Can someone tell me why, where people can recognise that nationalism was the driving force behind WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and is the driving force behind the ruthless insurgency in Iraq, that every friggin' country still thinks it is a great thing to be patriotic. As much as I would like to say it is just America who blindly believes in the superiority of their own country, clearly we all participate in this ignorant farce.

Why do we? And when will we realise that it doesn't matter at all in which specific area you were born, that we are all humans, and intrinsically the same?

To Pbeaud [sic] and others:
You are right. The declaration of independence (although as someone who hasn't studied American history I am a little vague about it) did herald a new realm for human freedoms. But, would this not have been better motivated by a love of humanity? Then perhaps it would have proliferated into the rest of the world. Can you imagine if the rest of the world had the guaranteed freedoms that Americans have/had before the 90s? There would no longer be any war, that is almost for sure.

But it was motivated by patriotism, which edicts that some people deserve more rights than others. The Nation-State only evolved in the 18th century: before that, we were content to give ideals like 'freedom' and 'equality' the real power. Now, it is nation-states who nominally support these ideals that gain our allegiance, along with power and the right to abuse it.

Answer 1

Nationalism cannot be equated with patriotism. Nationalism is a fanatical love for one's country, to the detriment of other countries, while patriotism is simply a love of one's country, with a desire to see it safe and healthy. Patriotism is a good thing, and generally, should be encouraged. What you are referring to is using the cloak of patriotism to justify bad deeds. For me, patriotism is the love of one's country, and the desire to make the country the best that it can be (both internally and externally). You mentioned several wars, but here are some other things that can be attributed to patriotism:

1. The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence - this may seem self-evident :) but before 1776, the idea that government is derived from the will of the governed was something that hadn't been seen since Ancient Greece. The Constitution has been the blueprint for almost all national documents since then, including the constitutions of Haiti, France, and others.

2. The Civil Rights Movement - Many people saw injustice happening in the US, and wished to see the country become a more equal and fair place. People saw that the ideals guaranteed by the constitution and the Declaration were not being adhered to, and they took a stand.

While you will never hear me say "My country, right or wrong", you will hear me say "I love my country, let's make it the best it can be"

RESPONSE TO ADDENDUM:
The Declaration of Independence, while specifically meant to sever the ties to Great Britain, lays out the proposition that all men are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To say that this document was motivated by patriotism, or that it implies that some people are more deserving of freedom, is not entirely correct. Actually, it states that ALL men are endowed with these rights. The issue is the fact that the (at that time non-existent) United States didn't have the authority, nor the political and military power to change the governments of the other countries in the world at that time (or even now). While the US couldn't force the rest of the world to adopt these ideals, it could set up its form of government to apply these ideals in practice. (This is akin to saying "I can't raise your kids, but I will raise my children in this way"). As an American, I would welcome other countries using our basic ideals of freedom and liberty, but it's a choice that they have to make on their own. I think a cursory look at Iraq and other countries that have not had a long history of democracy will show what forcing a country to adopt the ideals of others will yield.

Instead of focusing on the United States, I would ask why other countries have not adopted these ideals for themselves? If Liberty, Freedom, and Equality are the answer to most of the world's problems, why haven't other countries (more accurately, why haven't the citizens of the world forced their governments) to adopt these principles?

As for the Nation-State only being around since the mid-1700's, how do you explain the Holy Roman Empire (late 9th century), Eizabethan England (1533-1603), or even the grand-daddy of them all, Rome (1st century BC - about 350 AD)? Were these not nation-states?

Answer 2

Well, without going into too much detail, I feel it's normal to feel that way. It's actually touching. It's the same as how you might feel for the school you attended, or the city you grew up in. You are somewhat emotionally attached. Ofcourse, it might not be that way, if you really had a bad experience there. But if you have some good memories, you will be attached. One can be accepting of the country's faults, and still feel patriotic! One can be a worldy person....respecting all cultures....but still be patriotis. It's a kind of possessiveness we have for where we belong...or a place we identify with a lot. We hv a soft corner for it.

Answer 3

You can't choose to be patriotic. It's a feeling not a mindset. When you're born and brought up in a place, fed and clothed by your fellow countrymen, you're bound to feel an attachment, a gratitude, aren't you? It's just like the fact that you feel love for your parents who are responsible for your existence, you love your homeland, which has helped you survive...

But that doesn't mean that people who are dying out in their homelands due to famine, poverty, war etc. don't love their countries. Patriotism is just a fierce sense of loyalty. It doesn't mean that patriotic people take out war on other countries. It's the greedy and power hungry ones that do that.

One person might not feel as loyal to his country as another might. You can't put him down for that. It's insulting and constantly finding faults in your country that's wrong. If people hate their poor, dirty, underdeveloped country so much, why don't they just move out of there, instead of squatting there, plundering the country's wealth and pride, and spitting over themselves?

Answer 4

Leo- to be patriotic simply means to be gratetful, or thankful for the opportunities afforded to you in your country. It is the same with being grateful for your parents, or the family you were born into. Must I believe my parents are perfect to love and honor them? No. Must I despise them because they made mistakes? No. Can I still be grateful they raised me in spite of their mistakes? Absolutely.

If you love your parents and are greatful for your upbringing, are you saying other homes are bad compared to yours? No. My being thankful for what I have is not, by default, and insult to others.

I think every person should be patriotic toward their country. To have no patriotism is to be ungrateful---in my opinion. There must be somthing good about my country, people from nations around the globe are dying to become citizens.

Answer 5

hi In Australia, we've ANZAC day and likewise Remembrance day on St Martin's Day, at 11am i'm an particularly patriotic Australian. Very proud. it sort of feels to be patriotic could be virtually a grimy observe in the US, (from what I see) yet in Australia each and every person i comprehend is proud to be an Australian, and grateful to our infantrymen. i ought to circulate on approximately is a little extra, yet wont i will think of of the two. it extremely is frustrating, the track i'm questioning of as anti conflict is termed delight by Hellacopters.. check out the lyrics.. they are Swedish.. even in basic terms google the lyrics in case you choose, they are wonderful.. I additionally think of of the Alice in Chians track hen whilst i think of of anti conflict stuff. that has been frequently going on to deliver a tear to my eye.. now I went down that music, I cant think of of a partiotic track for Australia.. different than for the glaring.. relish the day, Darth..

Answer 6

If this country dies, so will you.
What if the world didn't fight
Hitler.With rockets and the bomb
he would have won. You sound just
like an enemy of this nation. You
seem to believe that there is no evil
in the world. You seem to be saying
that it is wrong to stop Hitler. I have
heard all this before. What teacher
poisioned your soul.

Answer 7

I agree. Why is it frowned upon to not be patriotic?
This country does just as much evil as it does good. And patriotism supports both halves...

"As much as I would like to say it is just America who blindly believes in the superiority of their own country, clearly we all participate in this ignorant farce."

TRUE DAT, HOMIE.

Answer 8

My country gave me a job, an education, an opportunity to see the world, permanent health benefits, and some lifelong friends.

I'd say I have a lot of reasons to be patriotic.

Answer 9

When everyone who doesn't realise it is exterminated under a totally rational, science worshipping big brother state, which doesn't realise that we are all humans, and intrinistically the same?

Like the Uber-USSR Mk II.

Answer 10

love of country.