Patriotism VS Nationalism
Start writing a post
Politics

There's a Huge Divide Between Nationaliam And Patriotism

With one of the most patriotic holidays on the horizon, let's look at the division between the two ideologies.

944
There's a Huge Divide Between Nationaliam And Patriotism

Patriotism - love for or devotion to one's country

Nationalism -: loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially: a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups

Love - (1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties

(3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests

Loyal - unswerving in allegiance

*All Definitions from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary

I started with the definitions because they highlight the distinction between patriotism and nationalism.

On a deeper level, this is about the difference between feeling love and feeling loyal.

A patriot loves his country, whereas a nationalist is loyal to his nation. Moreover, a patriot's love for his country because he is proud of what it does and what it can do, while a nationalist's loyalty is unswerving in allegiance, which means that it doesn't change regardless of their nation's actions.

Patriots do what they can to make their country better because they take pride in what their country does. Nationalists take pride in their nation because of what it is.

From a leadership standpoint, leaders that preach patriotism try to unify their people to solve problems, while leaders that preach nationalism try to divide people into "their" people and other people, with the other people being the problem. This is because a patriot believes that the people make the country, whereas a nationalist believe that the nation makes the people.

The result of those mentalities are patriots that have a love for all people within the borders of his country and nationalists that are against all people who are not within their nation. One group focuses on the ties that bind us and the other focuses on the things that separate us.

This logic then follows that a patriot believes in the principles of his country, but not necessarily its government or its leaders, as the people's values and beliefs tend to be more in line with principles, hence why the people go to and love the country. A nationalist believes in its government and its leaders, but not necessarily its principles, because the government and its leaders represent the nation that they are loyal to.

The United States is fundamentally both.

We are one of the most patriotic nations on Earth, and that statement alone highlights the fact that we identify with both ideologies. We show love for our country when we fight for our country at home and abroad, yet we are taught as children to pledge allegiance to the flag, which falls in-line with the nationalist ideology.

Patriotism and nationalism do not perfectly overlap, but they are not diametrically opposed either. The United States needs parts of both ideologies to survive as a country.

If we only follow patriotic ideologies, then anarchy would ensure every election because any no candidate truly embodies every principle that the United States stands for, since we have political parties one side would always feel that the other betrays the American principles (regardless of which side you think is right and which side you think is wrong).

If we only follow nationalist ideologies, then we end up with something akin to the Nazis. Nazism is literally the ideology and practice of the Nazis, especially the policy of racist nationalism, national expansion, and state control of the economy. Nazism isn't a guaranteed outcome of nationalism, it can also end-up with isolationism, fascism, or any similar -ism, but is a possibility that cannot be ignored.

Ideally, we should have a nation that we love and are loyal to, with a country that tries to unify all people, not divides them.

Remember the words of our Pledge of Allegiance:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

This is one of our fundamental showings of loyalty to the United States of America, but as patriots we must ensure that those words have meaning.

We can't merely show loyalty and feel love. We can't merely show love and feel loyalty. We must show both and feel both to ensure "liberty and justice for all."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49314
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31386
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955061
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180310
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments