Yes, but I dont have a right-wing interpretation of patriotism. As a leftist and political organizer/activist, I believe my love for my country is best expressed in unwavering critique of its flaws and helping push it forward to a better and more progressive future. If I didn't care about knowing it fully and completely, in its history and political movements, and just "took pride" in it, then that would be pointless. That's like a parent who doesn't push their children to do better, learn more, and treat others well, who instead ignores the flaws that will certain undo his or her own child, all because they only want to be proud and to not truly face the reality of their child's actions. Children from families like that will go on to hurt themselves and others.
So my definition of patriotism is not centered right-wing values. Burning the flag is a form of freedom of speech that must be protected, for the sake of expression. We are free (relatively, anyway) because we can critique and protest in this way. That's kind of rooted in our own history in the foundation of this country, for christ sake. But the irony is that many people who view themselves as patriotic have interestingly un-American values. But I won't get too much into that...
Patriotism to me is caring enough to work toward a better future and caring enough to speak out when my country is not treating its citizens well. Empty-minded flag waving and feelings of devotion mean nothing in the grand scheme of things and will not help our country progress.
I'm not patriotic. I'm Australian by birth but spent half my life living overseas before coming to this country, so it never felt like my own. I don't think devotion to your country is a bad thing, but it can put other people off if you are confronting in the way you express it. There are a lot of people in Australia that fly Australian flags from their cars, or get tattoos of the southern cross or 'Aussie Pride' on their arms. It's a cultural thing, but it's often seen as uncultured 'bogan' behaviour here, so there are a lot of people that treat it as bad. I think also that being a multicultural country with a lot of racism still being prevalent, that 'Aussie pride' can come across as bigoted behaviour that doesn't accept the millions of non-Australians that live here.
Yes, I am quite patriotic I vote, I serve on juries, I pay my taxes, I dialogue with my elected representatives, I engage in activism.
Yes, I think it can go too far, especially when what you start wanting is to destroy the fabric of society.
USA
I'm Norwegian.
I won't say I'm patriotic, but I do have some nationalistic tendencies. It's not like I think my country is always the best one or perfect, but I think it's a very great country and the development is fantastic. I often think it has come very far; more than many other countries. I'm proud of the politicians and the activists we've that worked for universal health care, free education, gender equality and rights for the disadvantaged.
As a human being I'm not perfect. I do have prejudices and I do judge other countries. I can think some countries are either too conservative, having bad laws or silly traditions. I do often wondering how people can live in such countries and if they can be happy in them. I won't say I'm the most extreme ones. I believe countries should work together in a peaceful way. I'm against invading other countries, closing the borders totally and discrimination.
Do patriotism and nationalism divide people? Yes, it does. If someone thinks their country are better than others, it may end up with them discriminating foreigners and treat them badly. Certain people are very cruel and mean toward immigrants. That makes them upset, so the citizens and the immigrants may end up in a bad conflict. If citizens in a country says their culture and country is better, they would off course get reactions. Some people sees themselves as superior and refuses hiring foreigners although they're skilled in the required languages.
No, I don't consider myself patriotic.
I'm from Switzerland. Am I *happy* and *grateful* to have been born here when I could have been born in Somalia or North Korea? Absolutely.
But pride? Why should I be proud to have been born on this patch of dirt right here rather than on that patch of dirt over there? Not only are political borders highly arbitrary, my birth location was also very much coincidental. I didn't achieve or do something special to become a Swiss citizen - I was simply lucky.
Now, some people might say that they are proud of the historical accomplishments of their nation but again, I feel rather detached from those things. I'm not among the "heroes" of my country; I didn't participate in writing the constitution or in sparking the reformation in Europe, or in building the magnificent public rail system or in fighting for civil rights during the General Strike in 1919. I'm not even related to those people as far as I know. I'm literally just some dude.
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Yes, and on the whole, patriotism is a good thing. It is an appreciation for what we have been given by those who came before us. It is regard for those whom we live with. It is the virtue of gratitude, married to the desire not to destroy because something is imperfect, but to improve where we see the need for improvement.
It is also, ironically, a link in the chain to love of our fellow man. As Burke said, "To be attached to the subdivision, to love the little platoon we belong to in society, is the first principle (the germ as it were) of public affections."
Like any virtue, it can be perverted and distorted. However, that does not negate its virtue. It merely requires, as with all virtues, that it be exercised prudently and thoughtfully.
Im from Scotland. Id say im patriotic in the sense that I want what is best for my country and its people but im not blinded by patriotism. I think too much devotion does create a hostile environment, even just within the country itself. It blinds people to facts.
Mas o menos.
I love my country and think it’s one of, if not the, best in the world. I admit that we have many problems of our own though.
Perhaps, for both (biracial Japanese/American mix), and no. I don't think it creates divisions among nations unless your nation is imperialistic and just trying to conquer nations left and right (I definitely don't agree with all wars of both of my nations). Yet most developed nations don't fit in that category. It's the repressed and backwards nations that start shit either by mistreating their people or outright launching attacks across the border.
Relatively free nations tend to form alliances with both another, just as is the case of the two nations where I have citizenship. Japan used to be an imperialist nation ruled by an emperor, but the US had the bright idea of dropping an atom bomb (which I agree was a great idea). Then Japan submitted to the superiority of the US with an unconditional surrender, and now the two nations are "good friends".
Meanwhile if you look at some shitty third world country, many hate developed nations, and it's because they're shite with shitty starving people and dumb cunts running the country who think giving freedom to people is a bad idea.
Yes, I do. I believe this country can be (and is when it is) great. However, there are people in this country who are either accidentally or intentionally turning this country into a joke, based off of what they say or do. Yes, over-devotion IS bad. It's called Nazi Germany (or for those of you technical people, "blind nationalism"). No way should a country get to the point where they do whatever the government says or does, at least without checks and balances. Governments are run by people, and people are flawed. There must be as close of a perfect balance between government and it's People as there is. The US still has work to do. Do I think the US is the greatest country in the world? It used to be and it should be. But currently, I'm not so sure. You can be patriotic without causing chaos with other countries. It's called keeping your pride in check. We shouldn't allow our pride to get to the point where we are starting up/inciting unnecessary wars. Unfortunately, it seems like we are already doing that and have been for a while. Like I said, the US still has work to do.
I'm a combat veteran, so I've been a patriot. Currently though, I can't stand our Government (US) and haven't been able too for almost a decade. They use our soldiers as Mercenaries for Banks and Corporations. They are also leading our country into total ruin and eventual collapse. As it stands, if the modern capitalist model does not change globally, We may become extinct within the next 100 years.
That's why I pursue Artificial Intelligence and Robotics now. I think that is the only way to save our world from Capitalism, automation. I also don't believe in Nations or Countries, but in a global community now. I firmly believe that all people deserve food, education, Healthcare and housing as a birthright of being human.
The time has come for us to stop wasting our resources on Killing and warfare, and start spending on uplifting our world from poverty, famine and disease. We have only two real futures ahead of us, destruction or evolution. I hope we chose evolution, but it's roughly a coin toss right now.
I do. At the end of the day I'm glad I'm an American. Are there things I wish would change? Yes. But one thing about America is the fact it IS always changing and is possible to achieve it.
I think we have a lot of people who are not only patriotic but so against their own country that it creates this negative atmosphere and weakens the country as a whole. But while I feel this way, I also don't harbor negative feelings towards people of other countries like governments seem to try to do. I may not agree with communism, but I wouldn't wish harm on Russians.
I consider myself to be patriotic and I'm very proud and grateful to be an American. I think it's a healthy thing, and I even think nationalism can be a healthy thing. Countries evolved for very good reasons, and it's normal and natural that the citizens of a country would want to put their own interests first. I assume that countries other than my own do that (as they should) and I want my country to do that as well.
I'm American and I don't see the point in being proud of something that I didn't choose. I did not build this country, I disagree with the majority of how it's run (regardless of the President in office) and I am ashamed at many people who call themselves Americans.
The far left for deconstructing everything instead of what's important. The right (not just alt right) for being a bunch of gun loving, selfish and small minded traditionalists and the people in the middle for not standing up and voting logically instead of what party you support.
I have zero allegiance to my country. It's not my country. Just the country I happen to be living in. I'll protect myself, my family and friends. That is my duty. Patriotism is overrated. Support your country if you agree with their decision, question and critique it when you don't. That's patriotism, fighting for what you believe to help make your country better than it already is.
I'm from Greece and although I love living in such a beautiful country I'm not specifically proud of it. Yes, many Greeks are patriotic af because of all the struggles we've been through (with ottomans etc when freeing our country required extreme dedication to it) but I often find myself wishing I was born somewhere else. Extreme patriotism can create divisions among countries but just loving your country is ok I guess.
United States. I really appreciate my country and the men and women who serve as soldiers defending/protecting our country. I think we are still a great land of opportunity and social mobility, but fear that is slipping away. While I love my country, I hate many things leaders have done, primarily in their own selfish interest. Private prisons, mandated sentencing for drug possession, allowing large corporations to dominate a huge portion of our GDP. I believe too many people have their own agendas, for profit, control, or violence against others. It is still my homeland. I still fly my flag and cheer for my team when they are good enough to be in the world games (be it soccer, or olympics).
... Let me put it this way.
I love my country. I will always do what is best for my country. I believe in the ideals upon which my country was founded and I will defend my country from all threats foreign or domestic... when I say domestic I include my own government should they ever abandon those ideals and virtues which made my country great. I will not hesitate to fight against a leader (s) that would seek to take from me my freedom or twist that which is my liberty to my nation. I am a patriot in that I will seek to do what is best for my country but that does not mean I am inherently loyal to those who rule it. If these words be treason, let me die a traitor.
Americans don't understand the difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is being proud of your country and it's harmless. Nationalism is thinking your country is better than all the rest, that you're superior because you come from that country. Nationalism leads to fascism, it's very dangerous to the world, and many Americans adhere to nationalism.
If patriotism is defined by pride, then no. I cannot be proud of something that I didn't accomplish. The fact that I was born and raised here is mere coincidence. I could have been born and raised anywhere. So my pride would be completely arbitrary and pointless.
I do love my country though and want it to improve.
I think being over-patriotic can exist.
Just like there are liberal left and conservative right who cover their vehicles and adorn their yards w their political b. s., pet people who cover ever inch of their car w rescue stickers, breed stickers, adopt don't shop stickers, etc., people can over do it with too much national pride.
Over-doing one's love of anything on their vehicle is tasteless because it runs a good vehicle, it turns it into a rolling billboard that can become quite distracting on the roads.
I live In the USA and I am very patriotic. Are we perfect? No, like any other nation we are not perfect but we had the greatest break in human rights of the free world. And I hate seeing the left try and remove those rights that enabled us to be great.
I think tho for use to get back on top our country need to go back to the way we were from the our beginning even before our Revolutionary War up until the later part of the 1900s going from a country that produced to an country of serveses and consumption.
Hey I'm from Canada. I think it's fantastic to be patriotic. I think it's great to hear how Americans or Quebecois are very proud to be a part of their country/province. However, I feel like some people, because of their patriotism can't appreciate other countries. All of a sudden, theirs is the best and all the other ones are shit. That's when I see the divide happening. I wish everyone could just love each country for its uniqueness while loving their own.
I don't feel proud being Dutch so nope. I'm not patriotic and see no reason why I should be. I don't feel 'connected' to the Netherlands nor other Dutch people.
It's 50/50 with me and how I feel about my country. Love certain aspects of it like the royal family and the culture and I'm extremely lucky to live to such a privilege country such as England but I feel like my country is being torn apart and ruin by are politically correct government who live in a bubble and it's really heart breaking to see my country being turned into a shit hole, full of crime and unemployment, things are never going to be the same again unfortunately
Im from the us. I voted for trump (still think he was the better choice and if your gonna hate save your breath) and I'm planning on getting a tattoo on my forearm the timber rattlesnake tattooed coiled with bullbriars and a tattered union flag hanging in the bullbriars est 1776 on my wrist with the 2nd amendment on my forearm up by my elbow. I'm highly patriotic and super pro 2a.
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