Patriotism vs. Nationalism and Why it Matters
Kids ran around playing while their parents watched casually, young couples held hands and playfully conversed, and teens joked around with their friends. Like my family, they were all waiting for the fireworks. Many sported red, white, and blue paraphernalia. American flags peppered the scene, a not-so-subtle reminder of why every year on July 4th fireworks fly, the national anthem plays, and our freedom and liberty are put on display. As the first explosion lit the evening sky, I mused about how, unlike most other holidays, Independence Day is inherently patriotic.
According to a study from Brown and Stanford universities, the United States is polarizing faster than other developed democracies and is arguably more divided today than at any time in the past 40 years (Boxwell et al., 2021; DeSilver, 2022). Our view of the word patriotism has likewise become increasingly contentious. Though traditionally understood as affection for one’s country, many now mistake patriotism for its darker counterpart, nationalism, and vice versa; this can be attributed to the rhetoric of both major political parties. However, before we can understand the importance of, and the difference between, patriotism and nationalism, we must examine their etymology.
The History
The sentiment that patriotism and nationalism are the same is not entirely incorrect. On the surface, both terms mean a sense of pride for one’s country or nation, but some clear distinctions cause the latter to carry a more negative connotation.
Patriotism means to have a “devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). It was first recorded in the early 18th century and is based on the word patriot, first recorded in the 1500s, which means a loyal defender of one’s country and interests. The word patriot, or compatriot, is itself derived from the French patriote, and further to the Greek patriṓtēs, meaning fellow-countryman (Harper, n.d.-c).
By the 1770s, the term patriot became interchangeable with a person who was part of the resistance in the American Revolution, showing just how deeply rooted patriotism is in the American psyche (Burrows et al., 1972). The devotion and affection associated with patriotism are built upon the belief that one’s country is great because of the values it maintains. But, this affection is not without scrutiny or accountability; it depends on the recognition that no country is perfect in living up to the ideals it champions, so there is always room for growth. Loyalty to one’s country is important but is not prioritized more than a country’s integrity, its responsibility to its citizens, and its cooperation with allies.
For instance, patriotism may manifest as the recognition that America holds an essential role in maintaining international stability, and by upholding institutions like the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, America prospers because supporting our allies reinforces the ideals of peace and equality among countries, which benefits both America and her allies. Conversely, a perversion of this stance would be using America’s influence and power on the global stage to weaken international institutions out of the belief that doing so would profit America by relieving lessening financial strain and international responsibility, even at the cost of disregarding American allies and leaving the international order in a more precarious situation. Overall, genuine patriotism is that which loves and honors one’s country while rejecting notions of superiority and hostility; patriotism in moderation is healthy and can contribute to strengthening social cohesion, instilling a sense of respect for one’s country and its duties, and improving relations with other countries.
Nationalism, in contrast, means to have a “policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one’s own nation apart from the interests of other nations” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). It is a newer word than patriotism, first arising in the late 18th century, and is based on the word nation, “a race of people… with common ancestry and language” (Harper, n.d.-b). Nation is derived from the Old French nacion, meaning birth or rank, and directly from Latin nationem which means birth, origin, or race of people (Harper, n.d.-a).
Until the 1940s, nationalism was interchangeable with patriotism and meant being proud of one’s nation. This changed when fascist regimes (e.g., the Nazi party) adopted the term and merged it with assertions of superiority and ethnic and religious undertones (Soucy, 2022). This left lasting effects on how the word nationalism is understood and used; it now refers to exalting one’s nation and prioritizing its culture and interests above other nations. Unlike patriotism, which is one’s affinity for his country, nationalism depends on an individual’s cultural attributes, including language, heritage, and religion. Because of the explicit social qualifiers that make nationalism distinct from patriotism, this modern form of nationalism makes it easy for adherents to retain an us-vs-them mentality and view the world as a zero-sum game where the gains of one nation inevitably result in the losses of another. Championing one’s national identity above others breeds resentment, which leaves little room for cooperation and alliances. Furthermore, because loyalty to one’s nation trumps everything else, there is no need for criticism and accountability, which stunts any potential for improvement. Nationalism is especially dangerous because its proponents easily slip into chauvinism, jingoism, which is an extreme form of nationalism marked by an aggressive foreign policy, and isolationism, all of which tear at the fabric of society, discourage transparency and increase cynicism.
Political Importance
The ideals ingrained in the American Constitution champion equality, liberty, and opportunity for its citizens. In today’s politically polarized climate, differentiating between patriotism and nationalism is essential because the former upholds our Constitution and liberal democracy, whereas the latter directly threatens it. However, distinguishing between the two has become increasingly difficult as nationalism has seeped into the political mainstream. Though many mistakenly conflate nationalism for patriotism out of ignorance, more people are now consciously embracing nationalism as an alternative system of ideals that they believe is better; this dilutes patriotism and invariably weakens ideals upheld by the Constitution.
Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and presidency ran on an ‘America First’ policy, which emphasized nationalism and non-interventionism. It explicitly placed America’s interests before other countries and questioned America’s international commitments, such as casting doubt on the usefulness of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and unilaterally withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement; these policies were supported by a large proportion of Americans (Dimitrova, 2017). Though American sovereignty, interests, and goals are good and important things that should be protected, their pursuit at the detriment of international norms and stability is dangerous since it forgoes the benefits of a united world for short-term gains.
While campaigning for the 2018 midterm elections, President Trump asserted, “You know what I am? I’m a nationalist. OK? I’m a nationalist.” When he was met with cheers, he continued “Use that word. Use that word.” (Forgey, 2018). This is a troubling development because the rise of nationalist sentiments coincides with an increase in hate groups and extremism. The number of hate groups nationwide has risen from an estimated 457 in 1999 to 733 in 2021; a majority of extremist-related killings “are perpetrated by right-wing extremists, with 45 percent of the perpetrators being affiliated with white supremacy groups in 2021” (Statista, 2020). One factor contributing to this rise is America’s unpopular wars in the Middle East which has resulted in a fatigue of interventionist policies and foreign conflicts. Additionally, although extremist groups have often coincided with nationalistic periods in the past, this uptick is unique because it has been perpetuated by globalization and the introduction of social media. This has made it easier for nationalist and extremist groups to organize, culminating in events like the deadly 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and the January 6th U.S. Capitol Attack.
As nationalism has become more popular, the use of patriotism has become more partisan, causing it to lose its intended meaning. For instance, immediately after the January 6th Capitol Attack, participants were almost universally condemned by both major political parties. But as tensions cooled, the event became politicized when a Democrat-led Justice Department began prosecuting rioters in the courts. Some Republicans asserted that the defendants were aggrieved patriots who were being villainized by the left. Fox News contributor Tucker Carlson created a three-part series called the “Patriot Purge.” Trump backtracked on earlier statements that the riot was a “heinous attack,” and said that he saw the January 6 rioters as patriots and would hand out pardons if re-elected to the presidency (Benen, 2022). While those on the right use patriot to commend those who agree with them, many on the left now intentionally avoid the terms patriotism and patriot because they conflate them with Trump and republicanism.
Upon visiting America in the 1800s, French diplomat and philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville, said, “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults” (Tocqueville, 2012). If we as a country continue to entertain nationalism, our greatness will be diminished. Tensions will grow between groups who do not share the same cultural qualities (e.g., race and religion) and violence will ensue. We will become more divided, more ignorant, and, overall, worse off as a country. To live up to the promise of forming a more perfect union, “We the People of the United States of America” must unapologetically renounce nationalistic tendencies and realize what true patriotism looks like. To be patriotic is to champion the ideals outlined in the Constitution, to treat everyone with equality regardless of their identity, to appreciate America’s accomplishments while also acknowledging her faults, and striving to make America better day by day.
*Edited by Andy Colando
Works Cited
Benen, S. (2022, February 3). A completed evolution: Trump sees Jan. 6 rioters as 'Patriots'. MSNBC. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/completed-evolution-trump-sees-jan-6-rioters-patriots-n1288524
Boxwell, L., Gentzkow M., Shapiro J. (2021, November). Cross-Country Trends in Affective Polarization (NBER Working Paper No. 26669). https://doi.org/10.1162/rest_a_01160
Burrows, E. G., Wallace, M., & Erikson, E. H. (1972). Perspectives in American History. In The American Revolution: The Ideology and psychology of National Liberation (Vol. 6, pp. 167–306). essay, Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History, Harvard University.
DeSilver, D. (2022, April 22). The polarization in today's Congress has roots that go back decades. Pew Research Center. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/03/10/the-polarization-in-todays-congress-has-roots-that-go-back-decades/
Dimitrova, A. (2017). Trump’s “America First” Foreign Policy: The Resurgence of the Jacksonian Tradition?. L'Europe en Formation, 382, 33-46. https://doi.org/10.3917/eufor.382.0033
Forgey, Q. (2018, October 22). Trump: 'I'm a Nationalist'. POLITICO. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/22/trump-nationalist-926745
Harper, D. (n.d.-a). Etymology of nation. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/nation
Harper, D. (n.d.-b). Etymology of nationalism. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/nationalism
Harper, D. (n.d.-c). Etymology of patriotism. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/patriotism
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). The difference between 'patriotism' and 'nationalism'. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/patriotism-vs-nationalism
Soucy, R. (2022, October 18). fascism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/fascism
Statista Research Department. (2020, September 30). Topic: Nationalism in the U.S. Statista. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/topics/5306/nationalism-in-the-us/#dossierKeyfigures
Tocqueville, A. de. (2012). Democracy in America. (J. T. Schleifer, Trans., E. Nolla, Ed.). Liberty Fund.
