On "loving" one's country and the true meaning of patriotism

[Selwynn]

by me... it seems relevant in light of what I've just read here.

Patriotism and Pseudo-Patriotism

...it is not clear if we as American citizens have recently (or ever) really stopped to consider what true Patriotism is. Patriotism is often described as little more than unwavering loyalty to one’s country. But what does that loyalty mean? Does it mean never disagreeing with the policies of government or the laws of the land? Were the Abolitionists not Patriots? What about Civil Rights leaders in the 1960’s? These people spoke and acted contrary to the established laws of the land, yet we should celebrate them as heroes. Patriotism must therefore be something more than unquestioning devotion.

Webster’s Dictionary defines Patriotism as, “one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.” I find this definition to be insufficient. By this definition, when a government commits genocide in the name of its “interests,” a Patriot of that country would be someone who supports that government’s authority to do so because of its interests. It follows then by this understanding that there is both morally just Patriotism and morally reprehensible Patriotism depending on the situation. True Patriotism must be more idealistic. A better definition of Patriotism would be: one who defines as his or her interests the welfare and betterment of humanity, and supports and promotes those interests within the country he or she loves. Patriotism does mean loyalty, but it means loyalty to the deepest principles of human life as the lens through which we evaluate justice or injustice at home and abroad – supporting and defending a nation in its fight for those universal interests, denouncing and resisting a nation in its attempts to undermine or attack those universal interests.

The greatest threat to this understanding of Patriotism is not blatant anti-Patriotism (i.e., the myth of people who actively oppose the welfare and betterment of humanity and deliberately work to see the demise of those convictions in the nation they love) but rather pseudo-Patriotism (i.e., the reality of people who ignorantly sacrifice their emphasis on the welfare and betterment of humanity for the sake of more localized, trivial and selfish interests, and naively contribute to the demise of such ideals through greed, prejudice, selfishness, fanaticism and short-sightedness.) Because of the great and consistent threat of pseudo-patriotism in the name of what I believe to be true Patriotism, and especially in light of the sweeping Patriotic rallying cry heard around the nation after our recent suffering, it is necessary to look carefully and critically at some of the major differences between Patriotism and pseudo-Patriotism. We must do this so that we might not perpetuate violence and suffering in the name of “Patriotism.”

True Patriotism is in part a standing by our deep convictions on a personal level, even if those convictions may put us at odds with majority opinion at some points in time, as well as advocating and promoting those convictions for the nation as a whole to which one belongs. Patriotism degenerates into pseudo-Patriotism though the choice to allow our personal convictions and deeply held values to be influenced or outright sacrificed under the duress of popular opinion or governmental manipulation, or when we cease promoting these convictions at the local, state and national level.

True Patriotism means in part resolving that the convictions we do hold as sacred be determined under the guidance of life principles such as social equality, equal protection under the law, recourse to due process, the sustaining of civil liberties and the fight for human rights and human dignity not merely on one continent or for one group of people, but for all human life. The true Patriot is one who struggles to defend these convictions and promote them within the very structure of the country that he or she holds dear. Patriotism degenerates into pseudo-Patriotism when we base such convictions on shallow beliefs or values contrary to the life principles previously described. When one attempts to justify a mindset of extreme selfishness, vindictiveness or miser-ing under the blanket of “Patriotism,” it has ceased to be noble, and become something else. Likewise, when one ceases the struggle to defend the proper foundation of convictions and promote them within the framework of the nation, one ceases to be a Patriot.

True Patriotism means swearing allegiance to something greater than one nation. The true Patriot is a lover of life. And as such, he or she pledges allegiance to the international community of life as a Patriot of the human nation above all else. The refrain of true Patriotism is not “God bless America” alone, but also “God bless the global nation of humanity and all of its states.” Put simply, the true Patriot loves his or her country not in isolation, but rather as member and participant of a global community. Love of country implies love of world and the two should never be separated. Patriotism degenerates into pseudo-Patriotism when an individual denies, either deliberately or indirectly, the place of a specific nation within the community of nations as well as the responsibility and duty such a place entails. Pseudo-patriotism looks away from the state of the world as long as it does not impact one’s self-interest or one’s "bottom line.”

But most importantly above all else, true Patriotism means asking questions about the state of affairs and continuously examining the status quo. Patriotism degenerates into pseudo-Patriotism when we give our unquestioning assent to anything and everything that is presented to us as fact by governmental leadership, agencies, policy makers (as well as our friends and neighbors!) in the name of national loyalty.

The danger in the shadows of this national embracing of Patriotism is exactly what kind of Patriotism is being embraced. True Patriotism implies a great responsibility and commitment while pseudo-patriotism is little more than emotionalism and blindness wrapped up in Patriotic symbols. It is easy to get caught up in emotionalism, especially when we as a nation are hurting and looking for ways to feel unified and whole. But the real meaning of Patriotism is more than a good feeling – in fact it can sometimes feel not so good. And it is more than supporting ones country – in fact it can sometimes mean speaking out against one’s country.

Who are the true Patriots, the flag wavers or the flag burners? The answer depends on the context of the situation, because true Patriotism means thinking critically and acting accordingly at any cost. It means asking questions about, not simply accepting without thinking, the course of one’s nation, and being willing to receive answers even when those answers hurt. It means that as well as the easy task of praising our successes and strengths we must also find the courage to speak out against our wrong actions and behavior. A true Patriot accepts the reality that no nation, no matter how great, is free from mistake making or from the temptation to do things in the name of it’s ideologies that undercut the very foundation of the life principles supporting our deepest convictions as human beings.

Pseudo-patriotism is so dangerous because it is the synthetic manufacturing of emotions in combination with a completely blind and unquestioning attitude towards our national actions. Many people have historically pointed the finger at those who asked questions about the positions, policies and ideologies of their nation and called them cowardly haters of the country. But in truth, uncritical, unthoughtful, blindly dogmatic, ultra-emotional flag waving under the guise of Patriotism is the most unpatriotic mindset imaginable.

Some may claim that I have twisted the definition of Patriotism to into a meaning never intended. Others may more delicately suggest that while my intent may be good, I am attempting to use the term Patriotism to represent something it cannot represent. If that is indeed true, it is a painful shame, and I suspect a large cause of the current state of affairs throughout the world. And so, to the charge that this is a complete reinterpretation of the meaning of Patriotism, I can only respond that if it is, so be it.

[Skittles]

1. HEAR HEAR - I am SICK of conservatives defining patriotism for ME

these people - who march in lockstep to an incompetent, thieving bastard, dare to question MY PATRIOTISM? Who the HELL do they think they are ???

[Kathy in Cambridge]

3. And they seem to be rushing the gates this evening

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Old and In the Way]

2. Great post Selwynn!

A real battle over political ownership of this word today. Very well thought out....my sentiments exactly.

[kentuck]

4. Very well said, Selwynn

"Who are the true Patriots, the flag wavers or the flag burners?"

Indeed, it does depend on the situation, doesn't it?

[vision]

5. Question authority

that is the only way to make America stronger.

I had a republican tell me that I should move to China, I went off on him. I told him that this is my country as much as his. I am American, I was born in American and I do not have to move if I don't want too.

That is such a lame arguement and is only brough up by the right-wing. How many Dems told Rush and others, "If you don't like Clinton why don't you move?" None that I know of because most of us expect others to question the government. We don't think that it is unpatriotic to do so, in fact we expect it.

[Selwynn]

8. My answer to the "why don't you move" question is always:

Because I believe that my values represent the foundation of this great nation far, far more wholly, fully and justly than yours, and I choose to fight for what I believe in. Have a nice day.

[Old and In the Way]

11. What they are really saying is-

I'd rather live with people who think exactly the same as I do, then I wouldn't have to think at all.

That response is usually the last defensive option they have when they've run out of talking points to support their insupportable positions.

[K-W]

6. Patriotism is a pretty word for Nationalism

I love people, not countries.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

13. Trying to make 'patriotism' sound noble = saying 'white pride' is benign.

Nice try. I understand your wanting to imbue the word 'patriotism' with something you can respect, "true patriotism" as validating all the noble universal human rights that democratic progressives embrace and espouse.

BUT YOU ARE PUTTING LIPSTICK ON A MURDEROUS PIG. The word means what it means in the dictionary. Don't like it? Find another word. The 'love of country' is love of the nation state with all it's shortsighted evils and abuses. IT STILL IS NATIONALISM, LIKE IT OR NOT.

And Nationalism is worse than racism. It is by definition exclusive, divisive and violent. It is the artificial division of the species through fear, violence and illegitimate authority. Exclusive group identity is the left-over symptom of a (formerly useful) survival tool. That is, feeding your family and starving your neighbors due to inadequate food supplies. We have long since evolved past that zero-sum game. Now artificial identity-based perceptions, competition for resources, conflict and violence threatens human existence and the planet itself because weapons have evolved faster than their inventors.

Want proof? Those of you who believe that there can be a benign version of 'patriotism' that consists of 'healthy self-esteem and pride,' should try this intellectual exercise: What is wrong with the 'White Pride' movement? They say that they don't hate, they're just proud of their specific group! Unh-hunh...right...there is a reason for the saying 'pride cometh before a fall.' Patriotism is about one molecule away from Nazi Master Race thinking. And American uber patriotism IS Nazi Master Race thinking. Americans think their government is SUPERMAN JESUS IN A COWBOY HAT. That is the risk of patriotism.

It seems to me that what you want patriotism to mean is something more akin to the nurturing egalitarianism spelled out in socialism and the teachings of Christ, not the hundreds of years of genocide that IS THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STATE.

Welcome to the post-patriotic morality.

[K-W]

14. Indeed

There is no reason to have pride or love for a country. A country can either be defined as the government, or the sum of all the people. If you choose the latter, and say you are a patriot, then you are saying you think people who happen to live in a certain region are more deserving of your love than others. If you choose the former you are declaring some level of allegiance to the government.

Either way its bad. Being compassionate, liking those around you, and thinking that some things that the country do are good are not patriotism and we shouldnt bother trying to convince people that they are.

[Selwynn]

15. Let's see which approach convinces more people --

Ramming rhetoric down their throats with a shovel...

..or using a method of correlation to encourage people who may in fact not think patriotism is a bad word to understand their "patriotic" obligation in a better way.


This was written by me immediately after 9/11/2001 for a diverse audience. If I were to say everything you said in the same harsh and dismissive tone you just said it in, my writing would have had zero impact on anyone. America at that time was hurting and taking comfort in a feeling of unity coming from a new sense of patriotism. So I decided to write about what I thought patriotism could and should mean in the 21st century and the dangers of letting the symbol of patriotism become an excuse for others kinds of things.

It's called apologetics, and no that term doesn't mean approaching something with your "hat in your hand" or saying your sorry for what you think. It means choosing to use a correlary method to persuade others, rather than an attacking method. In other words, it means finding common ground and using that as your starting point to illustrate differences and persuade to a point of view.

In this instance the common ground is the term "patriotism." So as right as you may be, you're tone and content are an instant turn off as your tone is combative and your content is extreme. Many people are not as hostile to the term patriotism as you, including most democrats and the founding fathers for that matter, who called themselves patriots. For many Patriotism means believing in the core foundational principles of this country and a willingness to work in support of those principles.

So to people who have a great attachment to the word patriotism, rather than say something like you just did, which would be an instant turn off and an end to any kind of conversation, I would instead use the term, but get them to think about it in new and broader contexts.

Ultimately it is just semantics - some people "hear" some things batter than others. Patriotism is an important word to the general American public. Better to encourage them to think critically about what the word does, could and should mean than to write something that might feel great to say but comes off so glib and insulting that no one gives a damn.

Like I said at the end, to those like yourself who accuse me of misusing the term patriotism, my response is: so be it. Maybe its time for a new patriotism.

By the way, the online dictionary defines patriotism a bit differently than I have it above. It says, "Patriotism: love or devotion to one's country." That's it. Love doesn't mean blindly supporting or agreeing with everything that is done. Love doesn't mean a sense of superiority. Love isn't divisive and it isn't violent. So I guess, sir, that if YOU don't like the definition of the word, maybe YOU should find a new one. Because unfortunately nationalism and patriotism are not synonymous.

At any rate, it doesn't matter because we agree anyway - my suggestion was that true patriotism is the opposite of nationalism, and whether you agree with the Semantics or not, I go on to describe exactly how I think one should feel about his or her country. Now, with all due respect, I don't give a flying fuck whether you call that patriotism, fookadoodledooism, bobbidybombombangbiddybyeboism or asdfasd;kfjfjjf-ism -- as long as you feel that way then it matters little to me.

One more thing: I do love my country. Call me a nationalistic pig if you want.

[Skittles]

17. you are equating pride in one's country

to white supremacy? That is a bit of a stretch. I do feel proud, or at least I used to feel proud, to be American. I have NEVER felt "proud to be white".

[Selwynn]

16. That's exactly what my post says...

that patriotism should be conditioned by our love for people above all else, and our desire to see the society in which we live place people first - in other words patriotism could mean our undying committment to our country. But what kind of commitment? A commitment to fight tirelessly for social justice, equality and human rights in the country that we love.

If you need to call that phenominon fookadoodledoism instead of Patriotism becuase you're hung up on the word, be my guest.

[jbm]

7. That was excellent!

Thanks for posting it. I think similiar distinctions could be drawn between spirituality and psuedo-spirituality(often calling itself religion) and good and pseudo-good(sometimes disguised as strict rules of morality that miss the point).

[Selwynn]

9. I agree, in fact for my encore ---

I wrote a lot about spirituality vs. psuedo-spirituality in a critical essay. I quoted from John Shelby Spong and described a group of restless, wearly, alienatied "believers in exile" -- those of us with deeply held spiritual beliefs, who feel utterly exiled from modern religious institutions on the whole.

[jbm]

10. and that's why I love it here!

If I had said that on any other board they would have thought I was insane..but here I find a like minded soul who thought of it before I did! Have a great Christmas. :)

[G_j]

18. Selected Quotes:

-Rabbi Sherwin Wine:
There are two visions of America. One precedes our founding fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to reason, contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity. Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and threatens our freedom.

The other vision finds its roots in the spirit of our founding revolution and in the leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason. It loves freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual. It sees America as a moral nation, neither completely religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism as love of country and of the people who make it strong. It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and irrational conformity.

This second vision is our vision. It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold enough to proclaim it and strong enough to defend it against all its enemies.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson:
When a whole nation is roaring Patriotism at the top of its voice, I am fain to explore the cleanness of its hands and the purity of its heart.

-Barbara Ehrenreich:
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

-Carl Schurz:
The peace and welfare of this and coming generations of Americans will be secure only as we cling to the watchword of true patriotism: "Our country -- when right to be kept right; when wrong to be put right."

-James Baldwin:
I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually

-David Hume:
The heights of popularity and patriotism are still the beaten road to power and tyranny; flattery to treachery; standing armies to arbitrary government; and the glory of God to the temporal interest of the clergy.

-Goethe:
Patriotism ruins history.

-H. L. Mencken:
The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair.

-Henry Steele Commager:
Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive.

-Hermann Goering:
Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine 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 to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country. quote verified at snopes.com

-Howard Thurman:
During times of war, hatred becomes quite respectable, even though it has to masquerade often under the guise of patriotism.

-Margaret Chase Smith:
Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.

-Mark Twain:
The government is merely a servant -- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them.

-Mark Twain:
Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and excusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let me label you as they may.

-Edith Cavell:
I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.

Edward R. Murrow:
We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.

-Emma Goldman:
Patriotism ... is a superstition artificially created and maintained through a network of lies and falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of his self-respect and dignity, and increases his arrogance and conceit.

-G. K. Chesterton:
My country, right or wrong" is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying "My mother, drunk or sober.

-Bob Dylan:
They say that patriotism is the last refuge to wich a scoundrel clings. Steal a little and they'll throw you in jail, steal alot and they'll make you king.



http://www.wisdomquotes.com

[Selwynn]

19. Great quotes!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. Great quotes. Here's a couple more.

"In time of war the loudest patriots are the greatest profiteers." - August Bebel in a speech to the Reichstag 1870

"You'll never have a quiet world until you knock the patriotism out of the human race." G.B. Shaw

[Snow]

21. Does scale matter?

Nations used to be much smaller (some still are). I live in a community that I like a lot, Altadena, which is part of a huge metro area but that nevertheless is its own self, so to speak. I suppose I feel responsibility for this community, keeping it pretty, making sure the kids get educated well, helping the poor people living here get by as well as we can, and so on. But it's not this large thing that we feel we have to love, or get a lump in our throats over. It's a place and a collection of people who try to do our best to keep things running well, and fix things when they get broken. So why should a state, or a country be any different? There are places in Altadena that I love - the library, the coffee shops on Lake, the hikes to the waterfalls in the San Gabriels, and likewise there are places - and people - in the US that I love. There's also history of Altadena, and the US, to take some interest in - maybe not pride (or shame) since I wasn't really involved. But I truly do not understand lump-in-the-throat sentimental patriotism.

However, when a nation is defined by a culture, especially an ancient culture, then that's a different kettle of fish. As many of you know, my wife's Korean, and there's considerable feeling about the culture, not so much about whatever the government might be. Korea has sentiment about places, such as Mt. Sorak or Diamond Mountain, or events, like the invention of the Korean alphabet or the printing press (200 years before Gutenberg, by the way). But this thing of patriotism, I'm still not sure. Certainly my wife feels a strong responsibility towards preservation and upkeep of her culture, in part a function of her social class but also simply because she's Korean. For most Korean, I think hometown and family/clan is more important than any feelings about the country per se. But the US culture is - what? Is that what we're trying to say with patriotism? Love our culture? If so, whose culture?