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KimiGibbler

- 3 years ago

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Is patriotism always a good thing?

Sure, you're allowed to love your country, but when does your love for your country go to far? Does it ever go to far? Can your love for your country create a "better-than-the-rest" scenario? One that affects how you feel about other countries and areas around the world by comparison? Do you think overt patriotism also affects the way others look at your country? It's a mountain of a question!

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Patriotism - yes, nationalism - no. “All nationalists have the power of not seeing resemblances between similar sets of facts. Actions are held to be good or bad, not on their own merits but according to who does them, and there is almost no kind of outrage — torture, the use of hostages, forced labor, mass deportations, imprisonment without trial, forgery, assassination, the bombing of civilians — which does not change its moral color when committed by ‘our’ side.… The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.” (From George Orwell's "Notes on Nationalism")

I wonder -- what is the historical meaning behind flag burning?

Patriotism is a fantastic thing and so many people in America, I believe, lack it today. I believe you are talking about 2 totally different things. There are people who are patriotic, proud of their country, etc, and then arrogant people who believe our country is better. Yes, if you are patriotic you probably feel strongly of your country, but I don't think that means you have a "better than the rest attitude"

Having school spirit doesn't necessarily mean that you like your principle. Hehe.

Maybe I can answer with a quote? “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” ~ Mark Twain

i remember asking somebody why he thinks america (we're both american) is the best country in the world. he didn't have an answer he just said again that america was the best country in the world. i think the hardcore american patriots would probably have similarly limited answers to the same question or they'll quote some crap about freedoms. unfortunately the best way to control someone is to have them believe they are free.

There's a difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is pride in one's country and heritage. Nationalism is the belief that one's nation is better than others. I love the USA, but the USA is not a better country than Sweden, for example. I'm patriotic, but not nationalistic.

any "ism" usually takes things too far

nationalism goes too far--when it's America: "Right or Wrong" When you look at the old soviet marches, do you get a little chilled? How about a North Korean one? Those are people that are TOO "Patriotic"

I definitely think that patriotism in the form of wanting to improve your country is essential. The mentality that @zamfir talks about sounds more like nationalism, which is where you think your country is better than everyone else's (*cough**cough* america) and that everyone should adopt your principles (COUGHCOUGHamerica). It includes patriotism, but in an ultimately destructive way. I consider true patriotism to be where you love your country enough to try to make it better, not love it for the sake of doing so.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson "In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer, I beg to submit that it is the first." - Ambrose Bierce

"We Americans claim to be a peace-loving people. We hate bloodshed; we are opposed to violence. Yet we go into spasms of joy over the possibility of projecting dynamite bombs from flying machines upon helpless citizens. We are ready to hang, electrocute, or lynch anyone, who, from economic necessity, will risk his own life in the attempt upon that of some industrial magnate. Yet our hearts swell with pride at the thought that America is becoming the most powerful nation on earth, and that she will eventually plant her iron foot on the necks of all other nations. Such is the logic of patriotism." - Emma Goldman

@KimiGibbler Inbetween Places in Canada

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SoulPancake

KimiGibbler

Is patriotism always a good thing?

potato

KimiGibbler

I wonder -- what is the historical meaning behind flag burning?

Lightly_Wild

livingthedream

Having school spirit doesn't necessarily mean that you like your principle. Hehe.

Buckeyesummers

Maybe I can answer with a quote? “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” ~ Mark Twain

bint

Sara

There's a difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is pride in one's country and heritage. Nationalism is the belief that one's nation is better than others. I love the USA, but the USA is not a better country than Sweden, for example. I'm patriotic, but not nationalistic.

jonnashut

any "ism" usually takes things too far

kdmask

nationalism goes too far--when it's America: "Right or Wrong" When you look at the old soviet marches, do you get a little chilled? How about a North Korean one? Those are people that are TOO "Patriotic"

geostigma

zamfir

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson "In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer, I beg to submit that it is the first." - Ambrose Bierce

zamfir

Is patriotism always a good thing?

I wonder -- what is the historical meaning behind flag burning?

Having school spirit doesn't necessarily mean that you like your principle. Hehe.

Maybe I can answer with a quote? “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” ~ Mark Twain

There's a difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is pride in one's country and heritage. Nationalism is the belief that one's nation is better than others. I love the USA, but the USA is not a better country than Sweden, for example. I'm patriotic, but not nationalistic.

any "ism" usually takes things too far

nationalism goes too far--when it's America: "Right or Wrong" When you look at the old soviet marches, do you get a little chilled? How about a North Korean one? Those are people that are TOO "Patriotic"

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." - Samuel Johnson "In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer, I beg to submit that it is the first." - Ambrose Bierce

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