Partiotism

What does it mean to be a patriot?1

There is a word that all people have heard many times in their life. It is so common that “the word has settled, in most people's minds, deep into a brackish pond of sentiment where thought cannot reach.” (John H. Schaar) This word is patriotism. What does it mean to be a patriot? Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines patriot as one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests. But is it really that simple? Then, according to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, a person who loves his or her country but does not support its authority is not a patriot! On the other hand, a militant person who hates other nations, attacks everyone for not being patriotic but supports the government is. That person is a nationalist, but not necessarily a true patriot. Patriotism has nothing to do with love for one’s government. Patriot is a person who loves his or her country or a specific place independently of its authority and has no intention to force that love on other people. Patriotism should not make us blind; love for homeland is an action of clear reason, not the blind passion. 2

Patriotism is a very complex and a dangerous word. Some people see more to it then a simple love for one’s home place. Human kind kills and dies because of it. Occasionally it is justified, but not always. Patriotism can be a very effective tool in mass media. Generally, people are afraid to be called not patriotic, and a lot will do anything if they are accused of not being a patriot. When being accused of that, one should not rush for the proof but use common sense and reason. Politicians and activists often make patriotism sound like nationalism. Some believe those two things to be the same. But in fact, nationalism and patriotism are two different things. All nationalists are convinced that they are true patriots, but not all patriots are nationalists. The difference is that nationalism is exalting one nation above all others and patriotism is simply love for a country, a place, and things related to it. One has to do with people, the other with places. One is often aggressive, the other is not. “The abiding purpose of every nationalist is to secure more power and more prestige, not for himself but for the nation or other unit in which he has chosen to sink his own individuality.” (George Orwell) Unlike nationalism, patriotism in a way, does represent individuality because we all love different things and we all have different places dear to us. Hence it follows that Merriam Webster’s dictionary definition of patriot includes both concepts.3

Patriots do not force their love on anyone; they simply love no matter what happens, they love their county, the house they were born in, places that were dear to them, people around them. Patriotism does not imply hate for other nations or people. It is very personal and thus those feelings can be easily offended. It is important to cherish that love and not to offend feelings of the others around us.4