Irish American Flags
Irish American Flags
 |
US $9.00
There IS a difference between Nationalism and Patriotism
In the United States, there is a great sense of nationalism and patriotism, more so here than in any other country in the world. At the same time, there is also a great display of public dissent. For many people, nationalism and patriotism is one and the same. Some people can differentiate but others believe that if one is a patriot one cannot and should not disagree with his or hers country's government, especially not in a public forum! It appeared that after the attacks on 9/11 America was pulling together and showing the world how patriotic and nationalistic its citizens are. The American flag was proudly displayed almost everywhere we looked. This paper will demonstrate that there is a difference between nationalism and patriotism, and that it is possible to be a patriot and disagree with the government.
Nationalism is by far not as easy to define as patriotism. The American Heritage College Dictionary gives three definitions for nationalism: "1. Devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation. 2. The belief that nations emphasizing national rather than international goals. 3. Aspirations for national independence in a country under foreign domination." When I gathered sources for nationalism on the Internet, Wikipedia was a wealth of information. According to Wikipedia, there are several different types of nationalism. I will only touch on the four I think are the most common. The first one listed, and in my opinion the foundation of nationalism as most people view it, is civic nationalism. According to Wikipedia, "Membership of the civic nation is considered voluntary." This means people can decided on their own if they want to belong or not. Wikipedia further states that "civic nationalism is the form of nationalism in which the state derives political legitimacy from the active participation of its citizenry, form the degree to which it represents the ‘will of the people'." This can be understood as "for the people, by the people." Wikipedia adds that "civic national ideals influenced the development of representative democracy in countries such as the United States and France."
Another form is state nationalism. Wikipedia explains that "state nationalism is a variant on civic nationalism, very often combined with ethnic nationalism. It implies that the nation is a community of those who contribute to the maintenance and strength of the state, and that the individual exists to contribute to this goal." In other words, everything revolves around the state. In my opinion, the danger here is that this can get out of hand and turn into fascism very quickly. Hitler, if my memory serves me right, started out in this fashion. He appealed to the people's pride, state nationalism, and ethnic nationalism. As we all know, a very powerful and dangerous combination.
According to Wikipedia, "Ethnic nationalism defines the nation in terms of ethnicity, which always includes some element of descent from previous generations. It also includes ideas of a culture shared between members of the group and with their ancestors, and usually a shared language. The state derives political legitimacy from its status as homeland of the ethnic group, and from its function to protect the national group and facilitate its cultural and social life, as a group." Members are born into this group. Wikipedia states that ethnic nationalism is the most wide spread form and is mostly referred to as "nationalism".
The last from is called diaspora nationalism or "long-distant nationalism." According to Wikipedia this "generally refers to nationalist feeling among a diaspora such as the Irish in the United States, or the Lebanese in the Americas and Africa, and the Armenians in Europe and the United States." This means that people no longer reside in their national or ethnic homeland. Looking at the United States today, a large number of citizens are diaspora nationalists. When we move back to the United States I too will belong to this group. I was born and raised in Germany and all my ancestors are from there. Being German will always be a part of me, even when I live in America and apply for my citizenship. "Nationalism is an ideology – but it often promotes patriotic attitudes as desirable and appropriate" (Wikipedia, patriotism).
Patriotism on the other hand is "a love of and devotion to one's country" (American Heritage College Dictionary). Wikipedia describes patriotism in greater detail. "Patriotism covers such attitudes as: pride in its achievements and culture, the desire to preserve its character and the basis of the culture, and identification with other members of the nation. Patriotism has ethical connotations: it implies that the ‘fatherland' (however defined) is a moral standard or moral value in itself. Patriotism also implies that the individual should place the interests of the nation above their personal group interests." Patriotism, like nationalism, has different types. Each person can choose the degree to what they want to be patriotic and how they like to display it. This is referred to as personal patriotism. The person chooses and sticks to certain patriotic values, e.g. how they handle the American flag.
According to Wikipedia, "Governments promote an official patriotism which has a high symbolic and ceremonial content. Often official patriotism is highly regulated by protocol, with specific methods for handling flags, or specific pledges and displays of allegiance." The handling of the flags can be witnessed everyday on any U.S. military post. There is a very specific way the American flag is being posted and retrieved. For example, the soldiers have to salute the flag as it is being lowered. On the military post, when the song ‘retreat' is being played everybody has to stop, face in the direction of the flag and render honors. It is considered extremely rude to continue walking, talking or driving. This was a very different experience for me the first time I was on a military post during the lowering of the flag. Germans do not do this. At least civilians don't. I do not know how the procedure would be on a German military post. In general I can say that Germans do not feel remotely as patriotic as Americans do. Other symbolic acts are "displaying the flag, singing the national anthem, participating in a mass rally, placing a patriotic bumper sticker on one's vehicle, or any other way of publicly proclaiming allegiance to the state" (Wikipedia). During wartime symbolic patriotism is anticipated to raise morale, which in turn will contribute to the war effort (Wikipedia). Patriotism during peacetime is not as visible but never the less it is there and just as important.
Patriotism has much higher intensity when the country is under attack. This was clearly displayed after the attacks on 9/11. The American flag was displayed nearly everywhere in the United States to show the symbolic unison among the citizens. The nation was shocked that such an atrocity could happen in America and had no problems following the leaders when they called to war. My husband had a soldier who had a well paying position as a packaging engineer for a major company. After the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, he felt it as his patriotic duty to serve his country. He enlisted for three years, was deployed to fight in Iraq and took a quite a cut in pay. He was not the only American who felt compelled to answer the call of duty. There were many like him.
As mentioned earlier, I am German and in a unique position. Not just because I am married to an American but because I am married to an American soldier, who has given twenty-one years of his life to serve his country. We have been married for eighteen out of those twenty-one. During our marriage he was deployed to a war zone four times. Many of our friends have decided to get out of the military after the first deployment. My husband and I have decided to stay in for as long as he can. I purposely said that we both decided to stay in the military because the commitment to fight for the country is not just the decision of the service member. Soldiers are considered patriots because they are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for their country. However, in my opinion the spouses are just as much patriotic as the soldier. The wives are supporting the troops from the home front. Fortunately, it is not just the spouses who support our troops. There are so many supporters across America who are standing behind our troops because they know that it is not the troops who make the policies and decisions to go to war. The soldiers simply follow their orders.
This leads to another duty of a patriot. According to Neil Postman, a "citizen has an obligation to criticize government and other actors in society when the disparity between ideal and reality become too great." In other words, a patriot has the right and moral obligation to question what he is told by the government and the people who represent the government. He should questions whether they are acting in the best interest of the country and its citizens. In his article "United States Today Needs Patriotism, Not Nationalism," Larry Hufford writes: "What the country needs today is more patriotic citizens. This public voice would not say war is never justified, but would demand that a war be fought for a just cause and a just peace." Hufford also makes a difference between the United States and America. According to him the ‘United States' is a secular constitutional republic, ‘America' is the organic, mythic moral land." He further states that "defenders of the ‘United States' are patriots, while defenders of ‘America' are nationalist."
In conclusion, I would like to sum up the difference between nationalism and patriotism with two quotes from Sydney J. Harris: "The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war." And: "Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, "the greatest," but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is."
Bibliography
Hufford, Larry. "United States Today needs Patriotism, Not Nationalism." National
Catholic Reporter 18 Oct. 2002, 18.
"Nationalism." The American Heritage College Dictionary. 4th ed. 2002.
"Nationalism." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 25 Apr. 2007. 25 Apr. 2007
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism>.
"Patriotism." The American Heritage College Dictionary. 4th ed. 2002.
"Patriotism." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 22 Apr. 2007. 25 Apr. 2007
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriotism>.
Postman, Neil. "The Nation (7/15/91)." Writing from Sources. New York:
Bedford/St. Martins, 2007: 586.
Harris, Sydney J. ???
About the Author
As the mother of two awesome teenage sons and the wife of one of the best soldiers in the U.S. Army, my life had to endure many challenges. Growing up in a physically and mantally abusive home was just the beginning... In 2004 I underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost 180 lbs along with the emotional baggage that had accumulated. My positive attitude and the ability to look at situations from different perspectives has helped me make it through it all. Not only did I "make" it through, but I am still smiling and standing strong. Through my years as a military spouse, I have had the priviledge to talk to, inspire, and empower so many people. It just continues on and I am happy to be able to share and help empower people through positive thinking to see different perspectives.
|
|
American and Irish Flags $39.99 American and Irish Flags - Giclee Print |
|
|
American and Irish Flags, St. Patrick's Day $39.99 American and Irish Flags, St. Patrick's Day - Giclee Print |
|
|
St. Patrick's Day, American and Irish Flags $39.99 St. Patrick's Day, American and Irish Flags - Giclee Print |
|
|
Irish American Flags Irish Oval Sticker by CafePress $5 Are you an Irish American? Then this cool 1910 vintage postcard image of the flags of Ireland and the USA graphic shirt will make a great unique St. Patrick's Day gift for you. Irish Oval Sticker Our stickers are printed on 4mil vinyl using water and UV resistant inks 150; meaning no fading in the sun or bleeding in the rain. Measures 3 x 5 oval. Printed on durable 4mil vinyl. |
|
|
Irish American Flags Irish Golf Shirt by CafePress $20 Are you an Irish American? Then this cool 1910 vintage postcard image of the flags of Ireland and the USA graphic shirt will make a great unique St. Patrick's Day gift for you. Irish Golf Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Tee off in casual style. Our pique knit golf t-shirt is a comfortable, lightweight way to play 18-holes and beat the heat. Features, stylish white pearl buttons, yet it feels like wearing your favorite t-shirt. Dress it up or down. Throw a blazer over lat |
|
|
Irish Flags with Beads $9.95 Irish Flags with Beads |
|
|
Irish American Flags Irish Dark T-Shirt by CafePress $26 Are you an Irish American? Then this cool 1910 vintage postcard image of the flags of Ireland and the USA graphic shirt will make a great unique St. Patrick's Day gift for you. Irish Dark T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Don't waste time deciding on which shirt to put on each morning. This dark shirt t-shirt will never go out of style and hides stains better too. This high-quality t-shirt is pre-shrunk and 100% cotton, which makes it both comfortable and durable. |
|
|
American flags $34.99 American flags - Giclee Print |
|
|
American Flags $19.99 American Flags - Premium Poster |
|
|
irish flags Pack of 100 $45.9 irish flags. Dimensions:. Length: 12. Height: 12. Width: 12 |
|
|
irish flags Pack of 150 $56.7 irish flags. Dimensions:. Length: 13. Height: 13. Width: 13 |
|
|
irish flags Pack of 200 $69.26 irish flags. Dimensions:. Length: 15. Height: 15. Width: 15 |
|
|
irish flags Pack of 50 $35.78 irish flags. Dimensions:. Length: 10. Height: 10. Width: 10 |
|
|
Wilco - Ashes Of American Flags $15.99 Wilco - Ashes Of American Flags |
|
|
Shamrock Irish Bunting $9.99 This high-quality polyester fabric bunting can be used over and over! Use around ceilings, tables, windows, anywhere! Measures 9 2/3 feet with 8 inch flags. From Ireland. Web Exclusive! |
|
|
Tri-Color Irish Bunting $9.99 This high-quality polyester fabric bunting can be used over and over! Use around ceilings, tables, windows, anywhere! Measures 9 2/3 feet with 8 inch flags. From Ireland. Web Exclusive! |
|
|
Row of American Flags $19.99 Row of American Flags - Photographic Print |
|
|
Irish American Flags Women's Long Sleeve Dark T-Sh Irish Women's Long Sleeve Dark T-Shirt by CafePress $32.5 Are you an Irish American? Then this cool 1910 vintage postcard image of the flags of Ireland and the USA graphic shirt will make a great unique St. Patrick's Day gift for you. Irish Women's Long Sleeve Dark T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Our 100% cotton, women's long sleeve tee is preshrunk, durable and guaranteed. Constructed of mid-weight jersey, it's just the right weight for layering. Side seamed construction provides a perfect shape, for a contoured but loose fit.5.5 oz. 10 |
|
|
Irish Major League Baseball Flag - Choice of Teams $34.99 This officially licensed Major League Baseball flags show your Irishspirit! 100% polyester. 37 x 27 with sleeve for pole. Vibrant colors and graphics; durable for outdoor or indoor use. USA. Web Exclusive! |
|
|
American Flags at Washington Monument $19.99 American Flags at Washington Monument - Photographic Print |
|
|
Fluttering American Flags $129.99 Panoramic Images Fluttering American Flags - Wall Decal |
|
|
American Flags in the Champs Elysees $24.99 American Flags in the Champs Elysees - Photographic Print |
|
|
American Flags and Fireworks $24.99 Jim Schwabel American Flags and Fireworks - Photographic Print |
|
|
St. Patricks Day, US and Irish Flags $39.99 St. Patricks Day, US and Irish Flags - Giclee Print |
|
|
St. Patrick's Day, U.S. and Irish Flags $49.99 St. Patrick's Day, U.S. and Irish Flags - Giclee Print |
|
|
American Flags (48 count) $14.99 Includes (48) American Flags measuring 6.25" x 4". |
|
|
American Flags Fluttering in Wind $129.99 Panoramic Images American Flags Fluttering in Wind - Wall Decal |
|
|
Statue of Liberty and American Flags $24.99 Peter Adams Statue of Liberty and American Flags - Photographic Print |
|
|
Ashes of American Flags $24.99 Anthony J. Cortese Ashes of American Flags - Photographic Print |
|
|
Irish Polish flags Cool Jr. Raglan by CafePress $28.5 Our Jr. Raglan from American Apparel is body contoured and baby soft. Made of 100% superfine combed cotton baby rib, this raglan provides the perfect look for any season. 5.8 oz. 100% Ultra-fine combed ring spun 1x1 baby rib cottonSize up Cool Jr. Raglan Our Jr. Raglan from American Apparel is body contoured and baby soft. Made of 100% superfine combed cotton baby rib, this raglan provides the perfect look for any season. 5.8 oz. 100% Ultra-fine combed ring spun 1x1 baby rib cotton. Size up |
This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 10th, 2007 at 9:42 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.