I like this explanation on the difference between patriotism and nationalism:
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.
-Sydney J. Harris, journalist and author (1917-1986)
(Hat tip: the A.Word.A.Day mailing list)
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Technorati tags: patriotism, nationalism
2 comments:
Very nice. Blind patriotism -- "nationalism" by this definition -- disturbs me to no end. We should love our country because it is worthy of our pride, not just because we "should," and that love should include the desire to KEEP it worthy of our pride by recognizing and fixing problems. Although historically, "nationalism" wasn't always a bad thing, just like "patriotism" it can be taken way too far.
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