NationStates Jolt Archive

So I would like to ask all of you, your definition of patriotism. Whether you are an American, European, or if you consider yourself some citizen of the world (like Bruce Lee).

To me my definition of patriotism is always wanting the best for your country in my own personal opinion of whats the best, and not some opinion of a politician or friend.

You guys?

not blindly following my country in everything it does, wanting the best for the people who live there, fighting to make sure its a free and just country, and that the people in it are listened to...stuff like that

Patriotism is loving your country, it's people it's culture, and it's method of government. It carries with it the responsibility to work to improve your country, which can mean dissenting when the government is in error.

Loving and supporting your country. It also means acknowledging its flaws and working to fix them.

Standing with your country and fight for it, fight for the flag, fight for ones leader, fight for the people,fight for the culture, fight for the language, fight for the history, fight for the dreams of the forefathers, fight for the family, and fight for the freedom of ones nation. All of that is part of my patriotism, and I am a patriot. Love your nation and are willing to die for it.
Allways wanting the best not for your self but your people.
We do not say that we are Europeans not North Americans but Icelanders.
The "part of Europe" thing is just for political and economic reasons.

I am not a patriot, I do not consider myself an "American".

I consider myself a human, a citizen of a little celestial body called, "Earth".

I would consider myself patriotic. I did my time in the service and was willing to die for my ocuntry if I had to. But I think no one really wants to die for their country. The best you can do is live for your country and try your best to improve it.

I would consider myself patriotic. I did my time in the service and was willing to die for my ocuntry if I had to. But I think no one really wants to die for their country. The best you can do is live for your country and try your best to improve it.

Amen to that Hylian Peoples

And with all the replies i have gotten already and they are all in the general theme, which is to fight for your country but make it better. Why do we have a bunch of people (at least here in the United States) that keep saying "if you dont like being a patriot you can get out of this country" why? Because the general understanding on these boards, from you fine people is what i think aswell, and that is you fight for what you beleive is best and for the freedom of the country.

Is there something im missing from those people that think you must follow the leader and everything he does to be a patriot? Cause I get that one sided response all the time.

Amen to that Hylian Peoples

And with all the replies i have gotten already and they are all in the general theme, which is to fight for your country but make it better. Why do we have a bunch of people (at least here in the United States) that keep saying "if you dont like being a patriot you can get out of this country" why? Because the general understanding on these boards, from you fine people is what i think aswell, and that is you fight for what you beleive is best and for the freedom of the country.

Is there something im missing from those people that think you must follow the leader and everything he does to be a patriot? Cause I get that one sided response all the time.


I've seen it before. Patriotism is much more of a big deal in my country, so it is to be expected. But it seems with some Americans; if you don't agree with the current administration, your patriotism is questioned. The best you can do is question and make sure that the government doesn't get too out of hand.

I am a Communist and an Internationalist and am therefore opposed to all forms of pariotism or nationalism which is an attempt by the capitalists to destroy the will of the working class by turning them against each other instead of being united in the fight against the common enemy of global capital.

"Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons." (Bertrand Russell)

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it." (George Bernard Shaw)

patriotism is nationalism, I am a nationalist and patriot.

Patriotism is when you support the values on which your country was founded on.

Patriotism is the love of one's country.

I am a Communist and an Internationalist and am therefore opposed to all forms of pariotism or nationalism which is an attempt by the capitalists to destroy the will of the working class by turning them against each other instead of being united in the fight against the common enemy of global capital.

"Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons." (Bertrand Russell)

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it." (George Bernard Shaw)

Your point is somewhat valid, since its your opinion i dont disregard it at all. What i do disagree with is the reason that you think patriotism divides, unfortunently i think that by human nature we will never be united. At least patriotism gives us unity to support the country and its foundations (its ideals, freedoms, etc.). Which is what i have heard from every person that has responded to this thread.

For mature people patriotism is loving your country in spite of it's flaws.

For the immature it is loving to point out its flaws.

It is like being married - you love your wife in spite of her flaws, but only an abusive prick would critisize her of them every day.

Have any of you read the short story "Patriotism"? About the guy who ceremoniously disembowels himself?

I can't ever even look at the word Patriotism without thinking of that now.

patriotism is the deliberate confusion of a love for the land you live on with a love for the arbitrary lines that make up the modern nation-state and support for the people who rule it.

Well, defining "patriotism" on the basis of the typical person* who indentifies themself as a patriot, patriotism is more or less a mixture xenophobia and loving the nation-state.

*look again, this does not say "everyone"