Nationalism vs Patriotism
Nationalism and Patriotism are two terms that show differences between them even though both of them are concerned with individual relationships towards nations. Nationalism consists in showing interest in the unification of a nation based on cultural and linguistic equanimity. On the other hand patriotism consists in developing love for a nation based on its values and beliefs. This is the major difference between nationalism and patriotism.
Nationalism gives a feeling that one’s country is superior to another in every aspect and hence it is often described as the worst enemy of peace according to the great thinker George Orwell. On the other hand patriotism does not pave the way for enmity towards other nations but on the other hand strengthen the admiration towards one’s own country. This is another important difference between nationalism and patriotism.
Patriotism is rooted in affection whereas nationalism is rooted in rivalry and hatred. Patriotism has peace as its substratum. In other words it can be said that patriotism works from the base of peace. On the other hand nationalism has militancy as substratum and it works from the base of enmity.
There is some difference between the two when it comes to the way in which a nationalist and a patriot think. A nationalist believes that his country is better than any other country whereas a patriot believes that his country is one of the best and that it can advance in many fields with effort and hard work.
Patriotism is thus considered a common property and is construed equal all over the world. On the other hand a nationalist considers that the people belonging to his own country alone are important. Patriotism expresses the love of an individual towards his country in a passive way. Nationalism is on the other hand aggressive in its concept.
After reading this “definition of difference” between Nationalism and Patriotism, I feel the author or writer puts more opinion than fact in his writing. Even noting others opinions on the two. It is easy to say Nationalism is wrong when you dislike a leader that believes in Nationalism. I believe people should feel that their country and people are the best. Whether born there or LEGALLY becoming a citizen. This brings on pride and love of ones country. All people in all countries should feel that pride and concern for their land and fellow country men. If a person, after legally becoming a citizen in another country dislikes the freedoms and laws of that country then perhaps they should have stayed and fought for their own country. Nationalism and Patriotism actually go hand and hand. Its really very basic. If we fight others fights for them then how can they feel pride and love for their country? How can a country grow and prosper if they are told when, how, and what to do by leaders of other countries? We have to take care of our own first. The poor, homeless, and abandoned. The hungry and sick. Until that is done we should not be expected to those things for other countries. You wouldn’t put your neighbors child’s needs and wants above your own child’s. You would make sure your child is taken care of first and then do what you can for others. You also would not allow a complete stranger you know nothing about, to enter your home and just live off you and never leave. You would use the law to have this person or people removed. You lock your doors at night because you are proud and love of what is yours and don’t want others to come in and take it illegally. That is how a country should be run. By patriots who would fight for their land and peoples rights in a country that believes it and its people are the best and most worthy of that country, nationalist country. My opinion is just that, my opinion. I respect your right to your opinion. It just scares me to know that my children may not have a country of their own one day. Because other countries and some people of this country feel fighting for others is more important than fighting for us. (Us meaning our own legal law abiding citizens. No matter their color or nationality of birth.)
How can such thoughts be true when in reality there are no Fundamental Rights nor Human Rights for all ? When did the public servants, paid by our taxes, become the masters that can plow through our natural treasures and seize- below market price, farms & homesteads that have been in the family for hundreds of years ? Where are the ‘beliefs’ when fascists are marching on the streets ? Where are the ‘values’ when six hundred people die each week in the UK from the toxic air we breathe ? We have suffered a brutal recession with over two hundred people committing suicide every week ! The ‘updating’ of London to EU standards as a European capital city, ie globalisation, has been nothing less than social cleansing causing the largest population of homeless & displaced people since WWII. Where is the ‘pride’ in that ? Corporations run this world, just research who actually owns the forests, the leaseholds on container ports & even Thames water. The ‘nation state’ is dead & six German/Anglo/Saxon families may own the majority on the ground but the Multi National Corporations hlittle Englandbe ave the control. Britain will have it’s language & customs but soon Britain will be little England.