Is American patriotism jingoistic of nationalistic?

Question

I believe it's both, not to mention being a load of crap.
Conservatives claim to be the most patriotic while they disregard the constitution and side with large corporations over the people.
Anyway, my question is, who from this point on will acknowledge that patriotism is an illusion and not for rational, intelligent people?

I meant "jingoistic or nationalistic?"

Answer 1

Exactly. What does patriotism mean? How do you love your country? How do you hate your country? Do you worship the soil? I mean, there's good people here and bad people here. The only definition of patriotism I can think of is supporting the govt.. To most people that consider themselves patriotic, it's blind support of the govt.........until a Dem gets elected. At that point, they redefine patriotism to fit their agenda. It's an illusion with ZERO meaning. It's just a nicer way of saying, if you don't agree with me then I am going to call you an anti-American and claim you support the enemy. BTW, I've never once heard a logical explanation of how someones distaste for a horrible president(I think we can all agree that Bush as been disaster) somehow translates to hatred of everything American.

Although most people that go around claiming to be a patriot are typically dumb as rocks and no idea what they're talking about. Patriotism is to Cons as education is to Libs.

I love America because it's a great place to live. Although, I don't feel obligated to blindly follow other people that just happen to be in charge. I love my job. I love my company, but if my company started making changes that I don't agree with then I am not going to blindly support obvious bad ideas.

Answer 2

Patriotic. And there's not a lot of it left, in spite of the brief resurgence in the wake of 9/11.

Patriotism is what you might call an 'adaptive trait' for a nation. A nation of patriots looks out for it's own interests, and the interests of it's citizen and defends itself from enemies without and within. Such nations survive and prosper.

Nationalism is more extreme, and puts less emphasis on the citizen and more on the country. Such nations survive, but often falter in the long run, as thier citizenry is exploited and becomes disillusioned.

Jingoism is nationalism pushed to the point of insanity. A nation with too many such aflicted individuals would quickly tear itself apart in bloody purges directed against imagined internal enemies.

Lack of Patriotism is also fatal to a nation. Without patriotism, citizens will put thier own interests before thier nation's or fellow citizens', turning traitor for bribes or inducements, exploiting eachother, plotting rebellion, or simply ignoring thier nation's call to arms when attacked.

So, no, patriotism is not an illusion, and, if it's not for rational, intelligent people, then rational intelligent people had better hope that the majority of thier fellow citizens are irrational, stupid patriots.

Answer 3

Which Conservatives disregard the Constitution? You think the Bush Administration is Conservative? That's so cute, to be so delusional and claim to be a rational intelligent person, its adorable.

I am a nationalist never claim to be a patriot. How is nationalism an illusion exactly. You make the claim and back it up with no fact. I love my country no matter what, I don't support its government without question, that would be patriotism. And I'm probably also a jingoist, now why exactly does that make me unintelligent or irrational? Please enlighten me, because obviously I am not intelligent enough to grasp your logic.

Answer 4

Nope. "In my view, and I think in the view of most Europeans, the bizarre forms this takes provoke raucous laughter and bemused wonderment." So what? "But then there is American exceptionalism so-called, in a category all its own." And what that refers to is America's refusal to follow Europe and most of the rest of the world like lemmings down the road of socialism. Do the research. "Don't Americans understand how patriotism is usually a scoundrel's refuge?" Samuel Johnson's quote was referring to scoundrels, not patriots.

Answer 5

Both AND a load of crap.

"you are either with us or against us"-Bush

See? Load of crap!