Every word has a different meaning according to the context in which it is used. Despite a general definition of a specific term, different societies have different definitions and meanings for these terms. Additionally, certain terms have evolved in the context in which they are used; they have changed their meaning in some societies, adopted new meanings or become extinct in other societies. For the purpose of this essay, I will examine the different definitions o the term PATRIOTISM as defined by other researchers as well as develop my definition of the term. I will provide definitions of the term as generally defined by these different researchers according to the different contexts and societies, and how these definitions have evolved and the application of the term in the current society.
Patriotism can generally be defined as the expression of love for a person’s birthplace. A patriot, therefore, is an individual who expresses love and is willing to defend his birthplace (Roberts, 2013). According to this definition of patriotism and a patriot, a birthplace is the place where a person in childlike naiveté, would watch the passing clouds and keep wondering why they would not float as swift as the clouds do float, or listen to the music of the singing birds and wish to fly like the birds (Roberts, 2013). It could also be the place where we would sit on our mothers’ knees as they enrapture us by their sweet tales of great conquest and deeds. A birthplace is the place where our ancestors lived and the spot where we love the most, every inch of our birthplace represent a dear and precious recollection of happiness, painful and joyous childhood.
In the American understanding, patriotism entails the expression, enjoyment and sharing of our love for the pride of our beloved country, The United States. This American reference applies to a non-political mission of the American citizens to foster awareness and expression of love as well as developing an attitude about the United States from other citizens of other countries. This definition does not only provide that patriotism is the love for one’s country, but also argues that a person who loves his or her country would act in a way that in their representation of the country, would influence the other citizens of other countries to show love, respect, reverence and a friendly attitude towards the former. In the United States, for over 50 years, conservatives have claimed a monopoly on patriotism. Several researchers have established that American conservative philosophy is fading consistently with the conservative concept of patriotism.
Nevertheless, most of the western societies would not share in the first definition of patriotism and birthplace. In these societies, the places that bear the definition have been turned into factories, mines and mills. Instead of the music of the singing birds, all they hear everyday are the displeasing machinery sounds, which one would not like to form their memories. The stories that people grow up to hear these days are tales of grief, sorrow, tears and pain, such as 9/11 attacks. Additionally, mothers are engaged with work that they have limited time with their children. Nevertheless, these factors do not erode the spirit of patriotism: people still have to show love for their country. In fact, patriotism would literally be defined as the devotion of support, love and defense for an individual’s country. According to the words of Albert Einstein, who equates patriotism to nationalism, he described the term as an infantile disease, and the measles of humankind. In his definition, he implies that people show love to their country just as an infant would show love for things he or she holds dear. America’s former president also in his speech once said to nations, that they should know, whether they wished the United States well or ill, that the latter shall bear any burden, pay any price, support any friend, meet any hardship, and oppose any enemy in order to assure the survival and success of the American liberty. This represents the true patriotism.
Some people have also counter argued by attributing patriotism to vice. They say that a patriot would do the oddest things for his or her country without knowing why they might be doing so. These people have based their argument on the prior definitions of patriotism, which makes a person devoted to his/her country and not allowing an enemy to interfere with the peaceful relations in their country. In this definition, a patriot would therefore be willing to inflict any amount of pain to person they consider to be interfering with their country. Patriotism is often associated to vices that the performers are unconscious of them. Just as previously mentioned the previous definitions, it entails infantile characteristics.
Patriotism, however, should not be misinterpreted as nationalism. While patriotism entails the admiration for an individual’s national way of life, nationalism is majorly concerned with the idea that an individual’s culture is superior to all other cultures (Kerr, 2003). In this regard, patriotism preaches peace and interdependence while nationalism breaches the same. According to the writings of George Orwell just before the World War II, nationalism would lead to regrettable consequences, which were fulfilled in the war.
In the United States and several other nations of the world, the Independence Day marks the annual climax patriotic of patriotic expressions. Due to the negative connotations of nationalism, which out to be celebrated on this day, most nations have ignored the latter. However, in some other countries, the idea of nationalism is generally accepted, even to the extent that patriotism fails to bear any importance. In some countries such as Bangladesh and Taiwan, their ruling political parties have in the past borne the nationalism in their titles. According to Orwell’s essay, nationalism is more self-centered than patriotism (Kerr, 2003). While nationalism focuses on the importance of national unity through the inclination of cultural background, heritage and language, patriotism entails emphasis on the beliefs and values.
In defining patriotism, or assessing an individual’s patriotism, one has to ask himself; how do I view my country? What am I willing to give up or do for my country? The academic systems in most countries have been designed to embrace patriotism (Kodelja, 2011). Students are taught on the values and beliefs of their motherland, which they are also encouraged to uphold. Most importantly, students are taught that they should be proud that their history has been passed through to their generation and encouraged to transfer the same to the future generations (Kodelja, 2011). In my opinion, patriotism is important and the society should put in place mechanisms that instill patriotism on children s that they grow in the spirit. Patriotism ought to begin from childhood and family: if a child manifests love for the family, he or she could exercise the same on their country. They would be willing to respect, protect and value family and national values that result into patriotism (Shaidenko, 2013).
In the past societies, patriotism represented true love for the nation and the individuals of that nation. However, considering the current trends, I would consider reviewing my opinion on patriotism. Western societies in the exercise of their patriotism spend huge sums of money in entertainment and neglect the suffering poor families on the streets. Additionally, as opposed to the ancient patriotism, where individuals devoted love for their country, the rich nations in the present day are more interested in containing and controlling the world’s economy, and seeing themselves as superior to the developing nations. This idea is inconsistent with patriotism. I would therefore conclude that currently, the spirit of patriotism has emerged and inclined towards nationalism. Everything has been politicized and the former idea on patriotism has been lost.
The poorer and weaker nations have also formed international solidarity due to the feeling that the developed nations are oppressing the former. In the ancient times, the nations that are currently considered developed exercised the best of patriotism, however, with the evolution of cultures and industrialization; the developing nations have in the recent past shown much of the patriotic spirit than the developed world. In my opinion, for patriotism embracement to continue in the recent society, I think the National Governments should put in place incentives that ensure that the societal beliefs and values are transferred from one generation to the next.
References:
Shaidenko, N. A. (2013). The Ideas of Patriotism in the History of Russian Pedagogy. Russian Education & Society, 55(3), 68-80.
Roberts, A. (2013). Patriotism, allegiance & the nation state. New Criterion, 31(5), 33.
Kodelja, Z. (2011). Is Education for Patriotism Morally Required, Permitted or Unacceptable?. Studies In Philosophy & Education, 30(2), 127-140. doi:10.1007/s11217-011-9233-z
Kerr D. (2003). George Orwell: Writers and their work. Michigan: Northcote House in association with the British Council
