Quote:
Originally posted by mad=dog:
Humans are interesting creatures. We contain so many conflicts and contradictions that it often leaves me baffled. The most common is our dislike of changes and our demand for improvement. Both are mutually exclusive so we tend to go for the solution that is least discomforting.
Another one (which is in line of the subject at hand) is that we see both individualism and loyalty as virtues. Again a complete contradiction and by nature mutually exclusive.
Patriotism* is a result of loyalty. The faithful belief that the common cause that binds your nation together is superior. There is nothing wrong in that per se. However I see it as problematic when this is done at the complete expense of individualism. One must remain critical and responsible even towards ones own ideals. I do not see this as anti-patriotic as long as it is done out of love and respect for ones country. Some sort of balance needs to be maintained.
*EDIT: This is the most common use of the word by Americans. It can also be translated into love of ones country without any bonds of loyalty.
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Another interresting question is what the patriots are loyal to. Their country, obviously, but what is that? Their government? Their friends and family? Their culture?
It's even more interresting when people of the same nationality call
each other unpatriotic.
[ 06-17-2005, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: Stratos ]