Patriotism

Patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion, and attachment to one's own country or state. This connection often stems from a shared language, history, or culture. It can also be based on political or ethnic aspects of a homeland. People may express this through civic nationalism or cultural nationalism.

While it is a common feeling, it is often studied alongside nationalism. Today, the two terms are frequently used to mean different things.

To understand the mechanism of patriotism, one must look at how it forms identity. Some people build patriotism through a shared ethnic culture. They may focus on preserving traditional customs and encouraging others to join that culture. Other forms focus on a shared political culture. This is often called civic patriotism, which emphasizes laws and political systems over ethnic background.

Some societies even use a national religion to strengthen these bonds.

History shows how these ideas have shifted over time. In the 18th century, Enlightenment thinkers in Europe debated loyalty. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a major figure who argued for loyalty to the state. Many of these thinkers believed that patriotism and religious faith were different forces. They argued that clerics should not teach in public schools. They felt that religious leaders might inspire love for heaven instead of the homeland.

Some historical figures also warned against the dangers of excessive patriotism. In 1774, Samuel Johnson published a critique called "The Patriot." He famously stated that "patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." While some believe he was attacking the concept itself, others argue he was criticizing people who used false patriotism to hide bad actions.

These debates show that the meaning of the word has always been contested.

Modern thinkers often draw a line between patriotism and nationalism. The writer George Orwell provided a famous distinction in his essay "Notes on Nationalism." He defined patriotism as devotion to a particular place and way of life. He believed a true patriot has no wish to force their way of life on others. In contrast, he viewed nationalism as being inseparable from a desire for power. He argued that nationalists seek prestige for their nation rather than personal gain.

There is significant philosophical opposition to the idea of patriotism. The Japanese anarchist Kōtoku Shūsui argued that patriotism limits empathy. He believed that human compassion should not stop at national borders. Similarly, the anarchist Emma Goldman viewed patriotism as a source of arrogance. She suggested that it divides the world into small spots separated by "iron gates." She argued that it encourages people to fight to impose their superiority on others.

Different political groups also hold various views on the subject. Karl Marx once stated that "the working men have no country." He believed that national differences would eventually vanish. However, Marxist-Leninists and Maoists have supported "socialist patriotism" in specific contexts. In Europe, some thinkers like Jürgen Habermas have even suggested the idea of "Euro-patriotism." This would involve a sense of belonging to the European Union rather than just one nation.

Surveys provide data on how people feel about their countries today. In a 2020 Pew Research Center survey, 53% of people in Germany said they were proud of their country. This was higher than the percentages for France (45%), the United Kingdom (41%), and the United States (39%). In the United States, a 2022 Gallup poll showed that the number of adults who felt "extremely proud" to be American hit an all-time low. These numbers show that patriotic feelings can change depending on the time and place.