Patriotism refers to the positive support attitude of individuals or collectives towards the "motherland". The "motherland" here can be a region or a city, but patriotism is generally used in a certain country or Federation. Patriotism includes an attitude of being proud of the achievements and culture of the motherland; Strongly hope to preserve the characteristics and cultural foundation of the motherland; A sense of identity with other compatriots in the motherland. "Patriotism" is closely related to "nationalism" and is usually used as a synonym. Strictly speaking, nationalism is an ideology, and it often preaches that patriotism is a necessary and appropriate attitude. Nationalist political movements and patriotic expressions may deny other people's "motherland", although this is not necessary. )
Patriotism implies a layer of moral norms: as far as it is concerned, it implies that "the motherland" (whatever its definition) is a moral standard or value. The famous saying "My country is not always right" is the extreme of this belief (this famous saying may come from a misquote of American naval officer Stephen Decatur or civil war general Carl Schurz). In addition, patriotism also means that individuals should put national interests above those of individuals and groups. In wartime, this kind of sacrifice will extend to giving one's own life. Fighting and dying for the motherland is the prototype of extreme patriotism.
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Patriotism can be divided into three schools.
Personal patriotism
Personal patriotism is a kind of perceptual and voluntary patriotism. Such patriots have certain patriotic ideas, such as maintaining respect for the national flag; Not only that, they often insist that all citizens should be as patriotic as themselves, and no exceptions are allowed. This kind of patriotism is similar to other values/movements in structure, and its political performance is trying to get better legal support for its own values. This structural similarity can be illustrated by the following examples: among the two proposed amendments to the US Constitution, one is intended to strengthen Christian values-strongly prohibiting same-sex marriage, and the other is intended to strengthen patriotic values-prohibiting blasphemy of the national flag.
Official patriotism
Official patriotism is highly symbolic and formal, and all governments will always promote it under any circumstances. It is the logical inference of the country itself, and its legal basis is that "the country is the expression of political and social public welfare". National Monument, Veterans' Day, Great Man/Historical Event Memorial Day, etc. Are typical of official patriotism. The government may launch some patriotic movements for various reasons to enhance citizens' recognition of the country and its symbols.
Symbolic patriotism
Patriotism depends to a great extent on symbolic acts, such as raising the national flag, singing the national anthem, attending large gatherings, putting patriotic labels on drivers and other acts of declaring loyalty to the country in public. In wartime, symbolic patriotism is often used to boost morale and increase wartime efforts. In peacetime, patriotism can not measure its contribution to the country as conveniently as in wartime, but it will not be abandoned by patriots. For example, the act of saluting the national flag in government places on weekdays is regarded as the same patriotic act as saluting the national flag on the battlefield.
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Moral norms of patriotism
One of the most important moral norms of patriotism is that you have a greater moral responsibility to your compatriots than people in other countries. Altruism in patriotism is selective. Criticism of patriotic ethics mostly focuses on its moral prejudice, Paul? Paul Gomberg once compared patriotism with racism. But there is a view that everyone has the same moral responsibility to all mankind. This is the so-called cosmopolitanism. In fact, many patriots prefer to call those who hold this view collaborators.
Patriotism expresses the value preference for a specific citizen or political party. People everywhere don't agree with this special preference. They choose a broader value system as a substitute. In the European Union, thinkers like Habermas advocate a kind of patriotism with Europe as a whole, but unfortunately, European patriotism is mostly confined to one country and often has the characteristics of doubting the whole of Europe.
Some believers who put religion above the motherland often arouse the suspicion and hostility of patriots. For example, in the United States, it is the Catholic church and the Muslim church that often suffer from this suspicion. In America and Britain, the Catholic Church is more loyal to the Pope than to the country. Therefore, as a right-hand man of the church, the Knights of Columbus regarded patriotism as one of its four great virtues. On the other hand, Muslims are more loyal to Islamic society than the state. Other groups find it difficult to strike a balance between religious belief and patriotic behavior. Jehovah's Witnesses (a branch of Christianity) and the Mennonite Society choose to resolutely resist any activities that show patriotic symbols.
Advocates of patriotism believe that the moral code it represents is a virtue. In the philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre's book, Is Patriotism a Virtue? He pointed out that the principle of moral concept of an era is based on blind worship of accidental characteristics such as origin (meaning irrationality), so he rejected the view that patriotism can be chosen. He believes that an alternative moral concept should be established, which can coexist with patriotism. Charles Blattberg also expounded a similar concept of patriotism in From Pluralistic Politics to Patriotic Politics.
If we regard patriotism as a virtue, we have to face a problem, that is, conflicts often occur between patriots. Soldiers on both sides of the war felt patriotic, which caused a moral dilemma. If patriotism is a virtue, then the enemy is also a good person. Then why kill them? )
In every country, politicians will use patriotism to attack their political opponents and accuse them of betraying the country implicitly or obviously. A few people may reject the patriotic loyalty that the public takes for granted. They may feel excluded from the political party, so there is no reason to be proud of it. Australia's "black veil reviewing history" is an example of this conflict. Conservative Prime Minister John? John howard, of course, thinks he is a hundred percent Australian patriot. He said in 1996:
Looking back on the history of our country since 1788, we find that our history is just a shameful story, which contains various forms of discrimination such as imperialism, resource abuse, racism and gender discrimination.
In America, the history of patriotism has been criticized for the following reasons. They are: the policy of exterminating aborigines before Columbus, the Atlantic slave trade, ethnic expulsion, invasion and territorial expansion.
Patriotism is often described as positive nationalism (it often represents some negative meanings). Many writers believe that patriotism is different from nationalism, which is less aggressive and hateful to others, as well as its defensive concept and positive role in society. But other writers think there is little difference between the two, depending on your opinion.
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