Patriotism versus Nationalism

by R. Lee Wrights

“If a person is decent and a pro-government American patriot, he or she is not intelligent. If a person is intelligent and a pro-government American patriot, he or she is not decent. And if a person is decent and intelligent, he or she is not a pro-government American patriot.”

- William Blum, Killing Hope (1995)

After an article I wrote some time ago titled, “What’s Wrong with Patriotism,” it was brought to my attention, by the voluminous feedback I received, that people not only agreed with my thesis; but also, took the argument a step further. A distinction was made between patriotism and nationalism. They are very similar in nature but quite different as well. First of all being a patriot requires serious, analytical, rational thought. A nationalist, on the other hand, throws off the cloak of thought and wraps himself in a brightly-colored flag. He lets someone else do his thinking for him, always destined to be a follower of the leader du jour. A patriot will always question the “leader du jour” before he engages an enemy. A patriot does not charge blindly into battle without having become convinced that the cause for battle is a righteous, principled stand.

“Patriotism: a loyalty to the principals that ones nation [was] founded on. Nationalism: a loyalty to a particular government.”

-Chris Snyder, Cosby, Tennessee

I saw the following quote in a letter to the editor of a newspaper in a southwestern town:

“In time of war, patriots throw their politics aside and stand behind their leaders, because there can be only allegiance to their country….”

With this one simple statement the writer, who claims to be a patriot, gives carte blanche to whoever owns the government to act with impunity in a blatant display of nationalism. A true patriot would never make such a statement, much less write about it in her/his local newspaper. It is this very attitude that has allowed dictators to rise throughout history and massacre untold millions whether it has been in the name of the Fatherland, or the Motherland, or the Homeland. This false-patriotic philosophy dictates that in times of war it is the citizens’ duty to support their leaders regardless of how evil or pure their intentions may be. As the Little Rascals would say, “What a bunch of hooey!” I am sorry, but I just cannot accept that as a proper definition of patriotism. Blind allegiance is the mother of tyranny, not patriotism.

“He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.”

- Albert Einstein

Is it not blind allegiance that has been the very cornerstone in the foundation of every militaristic dictatorship ever established throughout the annals of recorded history? Was not nationalism the philosophy that caused hundreds of thousands to march in goose-step behind an insane elected official who was killing millions behind the “patriot’s” backs? Do we really want hundreds of thousands of highly-trained and well-armed government employees that will follow the orders, without question, of every crackpot that manages to achieve high military or civilian rank? One of the greatest living patriots I know taught me long ago that a good patriot always reserves the right to question authority. Indeed, a true patriot insists on questioning authority. A nationalist, by contrast, willingly gives himself to the ruling elite and sacrifices his own soul upon the altar of the highly exalted State. How many young “patriots” have died fighting for “our freedom” in some far-away land where “our freedom” was never threatened in the first place? How many soldiers have nationalists killed by duping them into believing that they risk their lives in a patriotic cause?

“Naturally, the common people don’t want war, but after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag people along… All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.”

- Hermann Goering

How unfortunate it is indeed that true patriots are reviled as enemies of the State by nationalists that will sacrifice all to preserve the glorious Father-, I mean, Homeland. It is a shame that patriotism has become too easily confused with nationalism; and yet, it happens in every war. At the very moment that patriots need to question their leaders the most, nationalist sweep to the front of the fray screaming for all good patriots to follow them in defense of the Homeland. Everything is “in defense of the Homeland” with these nationalists. One reason to go to war is just as good as any other as each will be recycled in political rhetoric that proclaims we are fighting for “our freedom” and preservation of the Homeland. The nationalist tries to exploit the natural patriotic fervor within the citizenry to create a ground swell of support for war, regardless of the reason. But we must learn to think as individual patriots, able to determine for ourselves the difference between a justifiable war of self-defense and a war of pillage void of principle or righteous cause.

Patriotism is too often mistaken for nationalism. Nationalism is a strong devotion to one’s country, and is well-represented by the tired phrase, ‘My country, right or wrong.’ Is it really a good idea to support one’s country when it is doing something wrong?

Such misguided nationalism also rears its head when talk of flag-burning is in the air. However, it seems to me that the values that a flag or nation stand for are more important than the flag or even the nation itself. True patriotism is about taking pride in our country when it does right, and helping to put it back on track when it is not upholding the very values that it stands for.

“Another misleading attitude is about ’supporting the troops.’ This is irrelevant. It’s not a matter of supporting the troops, because ‘the troops’ aren’t the ones who make the decision to go to war. If we really want to support the troops, we should not send them to risk their lives in useless and unnecessary wars, but only deploy them when we truly need military defense.”

- Michael A. Clem, Oklahoma

Michael gives us a splendid concise example of true patriotic thinking. However, the nationalist would say that their “cause du jour” is righteous and that anyone that did not support their country in time of war is certainly no patriot. The truth is, nothing is more patriotic than having the balls to stand up and say no to warmongers that only desire to expand an empire. These are times when true patriots call for “supporting our troops” by bringing them home to their families. The nationalist have done enough damage and it is time to put a stop to the senseless slaughter of America’s best and brightest. As a patriot myself, I know I would feel much safer if they were here at home, rather than thousands of miles away on the other side of the world.

As I wrote recently at Rational Review in an article entitled, “Support Our Troops?” we need to show some real support for these courageous men and women, who have already fought and won a war, by calling on Congress to pressure the White House to bring the troops home. I reiterate from the aforementioned article:

“Stop saying, ‘Support our troops’ and start demanding that President Bush, ‘Bring our troops home!’ They want to come home, their loved ones want them safely in the bosom of their families; so, show your support by calling on legislators to pressure the White House to ‘Bring our troops home.’ Start cranking out those new bumper stickers and resist the urge to embrace blind allegiance dressed in the splendid garb of patriotism.”

Blind allegiance is the tool of tyranny used by the nationalists who have staked a false claim to that precious pearl called Patriotism. Think. Be aware. Don’t let it happen to you.

R. Lee Wrights is a writer and political activist living in North Carolina. He is the co-founder and editor of the free speech online magazine Liberty For All. Contact Lee at rleewrights@gmail.com.