Facts about Patriotism

Peacetime patriotism can not be so easily linked to a measurable gain for the state, but the patriot does not see it as inferior.

Patriotism covers such attitudes as: pride in its achievements and culture, the desire to preserve its character and the basis of the culture, and identification with other members of the nation.

Levels of patriotism vary across time, and among political communities.

Often official patriotism is highly regulated by protocol, with specific methods for handling flags, or specific pledges and displays of allegiance.

Charles Blattberg, in his book From Pluralist to Patriotic Politics (2000), has developed a similar conception of patriotism.

MacIntyre constructs an alternative conception of morality that he claims would be compatible with patriotism.

Patriotism may thus be selective in its altruism.

The 'fatherland' (or 'motherland') can be a region or a city, but patriotism usually applies to a nation and/or a nation-state.

Criticism of patriotism in ethics is mainly directed at this moral preference.

Symbolic patriotism in wartime is intended to raise morale, in turn contributing to the war effort.

Some authors such as Morris Janowitz, Daniel Bar-Tal, or L. Snyder argue that patriotism is distinguished from nationalism by its lack of aggression or hatred for others, its defensiveness, and positive community building.

Some see these and similar cases as instances of idealism, but not of patriotism.

A problem with treating patriotism as an objective virtue is that patriotism often conflicts with other ideas.

Patriotism is closely associated with nationalism, and is often used as a synonym for it.

Such sacrifices for the fatherland are indeed the archetype of patriotism.

Patriotism denotes positive and supportive attitudes to a 'fatherland' (Latin patria), by individuals and groups.

Patriotism is often portrayed as a more positive alternative to nationalism, which sometimes carries negative connotations.

Governments promote an official patriotism which has a high symbolic and ceremonial content.

The primary implication of patriotism in ethical theory is that a person's moral duty is to place the interests of the nation above one's own needs.

Other expressions of personal patriotism include enlisting in the army, public service, and participation in the political process through voting or other forms of activism.

Patriotism has ethical connotations: it implies that one places the welfare of the nation above that of oneself.

Levels of patriotism vary across time, and among political communities.