War Patriotic
There is a difference between nationalism and patriotism
United States, there is a strong sense of nationalism and patriotism, especially here in any other country in the world. At the same time, there is also a great display of public dissent. For many people, nationalism and patriotism are one and the same. Some people may differ, but others believe that if you are a patriot can not and should not disagree with the government's country or his own, especially not in a public forum! It appeared that after the attacks of 9 / 11 drew America together and show the world how patriotic Nationalists and its citizens. The American Flag is proudly displayed everywhere we looked. This paper will demonstrate that there is a difference between nationalism and patriotism, and it is possible to be a patriot and disagree with the government.
Nationalism is far easier to define than patriotism. The American Heritage College Dictionary gives three definitions of nationalism: "1 devotion to the interests or culture of his nation 2 The belief that nations emphasizing national rather than international level … objectives. 3. Aspirations national independence in a country under foreign domination. "When I met the sources of nationalism on the Internet, Wikipedia is a mine information. According to Wikipedia, there are several types of nationalism. I will only touch on the four that I think are the most common. The first list, and my opinion, the basis of nationalism as most people see, is civic nationalism. According to Wikipedia, "The accession of the civic nation is considered as a volunteer. "This means people can decide at its discretion, if they want to belong or not. Wikipedia also states that" civic nationalism is the form nationalism in which the state derives political legitimacy from the active participation of its citizens, shape the extent to which it represents "willingness the people. "" This can be understood as "for the people, by the people. "Wikipedia adds that" civic national ideals influenced the development representative democracy in countries like the United States and France. "
Another form is the nationalism of the state. Wikipedia says that "state nationalism is a variant of civic nationalism, often combined with ethnic nationalism. It implies that the nation is a community those who contribute to the maintenance and strength of the state, and that the individual exists to contribute to this objective. "In other words, everything revolves around the state. In my opinion, the danger here is that it can get out of hand and turn into fascism very quickly. Hitler, if my memory serves me right, started this way. He appealed to the pride of the people, state nationalism and ethnic nationalism. As we all know, a combination very powerful and dangerous.
According to Wikipedia, "Ethnic nationalism defines the nation in terms of ethnicity, which always includes an element home of previous generations. It also includes ideas of a culture shared between group members and their ancestors, and usually a common language. The state derives political legitimacy from its status as home of the ethnic group, and its function to protect the national group and facilitate cultural and social life, as a group. "Members are born into this group. Wikipedia states that ethnic nationalism is the form the most widespread and is mainly targeted the "nationalism".
The latter is called from nationalism or the Diaspora nationalism long distance. "According to Wikipedia this" generally refers to nationalist sentiment among the diaspora, like the Irish in the United States, or Lebanese in the Americas and Africa, and Armenians in Europe and the United States. "This means that people no longer reside in their country of origin national or ethnic origin. Looking at the United States today, many citizens are nationalist diaspora. When we move to the U.S. I also belong to this group. I was born and raised in Germany and all my ancestors are from there. German will always be a part of me, even if I live America and ask for my citizenship. "Nationalism is an ideology – but it often promotes patriotic attitudes as desirable and appropriate" (Wikipedia, patriotism).
The patriotism of the other is "love and devotion to his country" .. (American Heritage College Dictionary) Wikipedia described in more detail patriotism "Patriotism covers such attitudes as: pride in its achievements and culture, the desire to preserve its character is a moral standard or moral value in itself. Patriotism also implies that the individual must place the interests of the nation before their personal interests group. "Patriotism, like nationalism, has different types. Each person can choose how they want to be patriotic and how they like to display. This is called patriotism and individuals. The person chooses and adheres to certain patriotic values, by example, how they handle the American flag.
According to Wikipedia, "the government official to promote patriotism that has a strong symbolic and ritual content. Often official patriotism is highly regulated by the protocol, with specific methods for handling flags, or specific commitments and displays of allegiance. "The handling of flags can be seen every day on any military post from the United States. There is a way very clear the American flag is displayed and retrieved. For example, soldiers have to salute the flag being lowered. On the military post, when all the world is played out "retirement" of the song should stop, face the meaning of honor flag and rendering. It is considered extremely impolite to continue to walk, talk or conduct. It was a very different experience for me the first time I was on a military post at lowering of the flag. Germans do not do that. At least not civilians. I do not know how the procedure could be on a military post in Germany. In general, I can say that Germans do not feel remotely as patriotic as Americans. Other symbolic acts are "the flag, singing the national anthem participating in a mass rally, placing a patriotic sticker on his vehicle, or any other means of publicly proclaiming allegiance to the State "(Wikipedia). During wartime patriotic symbolism is intended to boost morale, which in turn contribute to the war effort (Wikipedia). Patriotism in time of peace is not as visible, but never the less it is there and just as important.
Patriotism has a much higher intensity when the country is under attack. This was clearly displayed after the attacks of 9 / 11. The American flag was displayed almost everywhere in the U.S. to see the symbolic unison among citizens. The nation was shocked that such an atrocity could happen in America and had no problems following when they called on leaders to war. My husband was a soldier who had a well-paid position as an engineer packaging for a large company. After the attack against the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, he felt that his patriotism duty to serve his country. Enlisted for three years, was deployed to fight in Iraq and has taken quite a pay cut. It was not the only American who felt have to answer the call of duty. There were many like him.
As mentioned previously, I am German and in a position unique. Not just because I'm married to an American, but because I'm married to an American soldier who has given twenty-one years of his life to serving his country. We have been married for eighteen of those twenty one. During our marriage, he was deployed in war zones on four occasions. Many our friends decided to leave the army after the first deployment. My husband and I decided to stay as he can. I purposely say that we both decided to stay in the military, because the commitment to fight for the country is not only decision of the control device. The soldiers are seen as patriots, as they are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for their country. However, I think the couple are just as patriotic as the soldier. Women are the support troops from the front to the house. Fortunately, not only husbands who Support Our troops. There are as many fans across America who are standing behind Our Troops because they know that this is not the troops who make policies and decisions to go to war. The soldiers simply follow their orders.
This leads to another duty of a patriot. According to Neil Postman, a citizen "has an obligation to criticize the government and other actors in society where the disparity between the ideal and reality became too great. "In other words, a patriot has a moral obligation and right to question what is said by the government and people who represent the government. Questions they should act in the best interest of the country and its citizens. In his article entitled "U.S. today needs patriotism, not nationalism, "Larry Hufford wrote:" What the country needs today is more people This patriotic public voice would not say that war is never justified, but demand that the war to fight for a just cause and a just peace .. "Hufford also a difference between the U.S. and the Americas. He said the "United States Constitution is a secular republic," America "is the organic, mythical land morale. "It further states that" the defenders of the "United States are patriots, while the defenders of" America "are nationalists."
In conclusion, I would like to summarize the difference between nationalism and patriotism with two quotes from Sydney J. Harris: "The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what he did, and the nationalist is proud of his country, no matter what he does, the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war "and". Patriotism is proud of virtues a country and willing to correct its deficiencies, it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries with their own virtues. The pride of nationalism, However, trumpets the virtues of his country and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. He wants to be, and proclaims itself to be "Greatest" but greatness is not necessary to a country only goodness is. "
Bibliography
Hufford, Larry. "USA Today needs patriotism, not nationalism." National
Catholic Reporter October 18, 2002, 18.
"Nationalism." American Heritage College Dictionary. 4th ed. 2002.
"Nationalism." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. On April 25, 2007. April 25, 2007
< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism >.
"Patriotism." The American Heritage College Dictionary. 4th ed. 2002.
"Patriotism." Wikipedia, Encyclopedia. On April 22, 2007. April 25, 2007
en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Patriotism. "
Postman, Neil. "The Nation (7/15/91). "Literature Sources York. New:
Bedford / St. Martins, 2007: 586.
Harris, Sydney J.??
About the Author
As the mother of two awesome teenage sons and the wife of one of the best soldiers in the U.S. Army, my life had to endure many challenges. Growing up in a physically and mantally abusive home was just the beginning… In 2004 I underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost 180 lbs along with the emotional baggage that had accumulated. My positive attitude and the ability to look at situations from different perspectives has helped me make it through it all. Not only did I “make” it through, but I am still smiling and standing strong. Through my years as a military spouse, I have had the priviledge to talk to, inspire, and empower so many people. It just continues on and I am happy to be able to share and help empower people through positive thinking to see different perspectives.
