I hear the word "patriotic" used a lot in political discourse, especially from the right who claim anyone who criticizes America isn't a patriot. Let's not confuse patriotism with nationalism. "Nationalism and patriotism both show the relationship of an individual towards his or her nation. The two are often confused and frequently believed to mean the same thing. However, there is a vast difference between nationalism and patriotism."
Webster's Dictionary
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
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
Patriotism: love for or devotion to one's country
"Nationalism means to give more importance to unity by way of a cultural background, including language and heritage. Patriotism pertains to the love for a nation, with more emphasis on values and beliefs.
When talking about nationalism and patriotism, one cannot avoid the famous quotation by George Orwell, who said that nationalism is ‘the worst enemy of peace’. According to him, nationalism is a feeling that one’s country is superior to another in all respects, while patriotism is merely a feeling of admiration for a way of life. These concepts show that patriotism is passive by nature and nationalism can be a little aggressive.
Most nationalists assume that their country is better than any other, whereas patriots believe that their country is one of the best and can be improved in many ways. Patriots tend to believe in friendly relations with other countries while some nationalists don’t.
In patriotism, people all over the world are considered equal but nationalism implies that only the people belonging to one’s own country should be considered one’s equal.
A patriotic person tends to tolerate criticism and tries to learn something new from it, but a nationalist cannot tolerate any criticism and considers it an insult.”
The very essence and spirit of our constitution preserves our right of free speech. Just because my opinion is different from yours and I'm critical of America doesn't mean I hate America.
It seems today that anyone who has a difference of opinion or is critical of America is quickly labeled as anti-american or a socialist. The very fact that I'm critical of the policies of our country is an indicator my love of country. I have a love for all peoples that supersedes my love of country.
I shudder when I hear the term American Exceptionalism...thoughts of Nazi Germany flood my mind. I simply don't believe in the ideal of American Exceptionalism. Does this mean I'm not patriotic and not appreciative of being born in a country I didn't choose to be born in? Certainly I'm blessed to live in America but it doesn't mean I wouldn't be equally blessed living in another country.
Philippians 3:20 Says we are citizens of heaven. When we start behaving like this, then our national and foreign polices will change and just maybe we can become an exceptional nation of people not because of our words, money or military, but because of our love for all people and all nations.
“Nationalism is an infantile thing. It is the measles of mankind.”
― Albert Einstein
― Albert Einstein
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