Can patriotism be manipulated by people with malevolent intent? How would this be recognised?

Question

Please keep answers theoretical if possible, though examples are okay.

Answer 1

The most common techniques are: 1: Demonize a class of people, as Hitler did the Jews, McCarthy did the Communists, and Bush is doing the Arabs, blame them on all the populace's problems; 2. Use the public resentment to justify a war so the leader can look a Savior riding to the rescue of his people; 3. Link unquestioning support for the leader to patriotism, so that anyone who questions his policies can be denounced as a traitor; 4. Suppress dissent and vilify opposing viewpoints by outright lies and slander of any opposition. The principles go back to Demosthenes, who used them to whip up Athenian fervor against Alexander the Great sufficiently to start a war, a war in which Demosthenes himself deserted halfway threw his first battle and never went back. Goebbels used them to great effect during WW2, and we see them constantly on this forum today. There was a saying, quite popular among the peace movement of the '60s, I was part of it, "My country right or wrong, if it's right to keep it right, if it's wrong, to make it right." The war mongers subverted it, leaving off the second half, turning it into a variation of Hitler's "The Fatherland, wrong or right." I myself always remember something Teddy Roosevelt once said: "To say that there must be no criticism of the President, that he must be supported right or wrong, is to be not only unpatriotic and servile, but to be morally treasonable to the American people."

Answer 2

Of course patriotism can be manipulated by those with malevolent intent - especially those in power & leadership positions, to mobilize a country to support and engage in war. Wars may be used for profit, power, international influence & clout, or even to just divert the nation from internal problems. It can even be used to just maintain combat readiness and test new hi-tech weapons, which I believe is often the case for America. We also have the biggest defense industry in the world, so if somebody doesn't use our weapons, they'd go out of business.

"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, IT IS THE LEADERS of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is TELL THEM THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. IT WORKS THE SAME IN ANY COUNTRY."

-Hermann Goering, Nazi Party

This is why patriotism or nationalism is actually a long-term threat to National Security and peace. This should no longer be the age of nations, but the age of one world. We're all on this one, extremely fragile planet together. If this boat sinks, we all sink. Anyone who is first & foremost a patriot, is a short-sighted individual, easily manipulated by nationalistic propaganda.

Answer 3

No.i don't think so. Most of the hot blooded people who try to do good for a country by rallies,protests or fights, r normally killed. You may not believe me but a better way could be spiritual rising of people and education.

young children are gullible . So they must be taught to not to be corrupt. The teachers for sure can instil "love 4 country' in the hearts of children.

Spiritual and honest people can do a lot for the country.

Malevolent people normally do without thinking which is suspicious for a country

Answer 4

Yes. You can say "Hey Joe, if you love your country, you would do this" and patriotic Joe would feel guilty for not doing it, and would seriously consider doing it. In many countries people are "manipulated" by patriotism. Anyone who would die for thier country I'd say are being manipulated by patriotism.

Answer 5

When patriotism is used to justify imperialistic endeavors then it is manipulated.

For example Napoleonic wars, Nazi Germany and USA nowadays.

Answer 6

It has happened very many times in history, it is called war.