What is Pariotism?

[Sugarcoated]

Natalie Maines brought the meaning of patriotism up last week in an interview and I'm curious what DU'ers think Patriotism is.

[unpossibles]

1. Patriotism is never having to say you're sorry

just kidding.

I see it this way: loving your country enough to want to make it better, to make it an ideal nation in fact and in reputation.

I don't think blind jingoism is patriotism.

[noamnety]

2. I keep seeing it confused with Nationalism

Patriotism is a willingness to sacrifice out of devotion to your country.

Nationalism is putting the interests of your own nation above those of another.

The one has to do with giving, the other with greed.

[RufusEarl]

3. Patriotism?

For me it's the belief that my form of government/country is the best in the world, and that i would die to keep it.

If things keep going the way they have been for the past six years, i may get a chance to prove my patriotism.

[Jed Dilligan]

4. Love of the fatherland, literally.

On the one hand, you can love the land of your "fathers," more neutrally your ancestors. Not long ago the word often applied to towns, especially in the Spanish-speaking world. Patriotism is love of the patrimony, that which has been handed down. It is fundamentally an environmental concept.

On the other hand, you can love the land of your "fathers" meaning your leaders. You associate the state that rules your country with an ideal of your own identity, usually in the form of the military and a hyper-masculine leader whose image is bound up with it. The entire country is then expected to fall in line with your phallocratic fantasy.

[demosincebirth]

5. "Patriotism" is the last resort of a scounndrel

[MikeNearMcChord]

6. A quote from the late Enviromentalist Author Edward Abbey

"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government."

[bobd]

7. A Societally Sanctioned Permit to

1. Kill with impunity and without cause or justification.
2. Torture
3. Repress, imprison, and demonize those that disagree with you
4. Give in to one's basest, foulest impulses

Bob D.