Patriotism

Overview
Definitions of patriotism include:
 * love for or devotion to one's country (Merriam-Webster)
 * positive and supportive attitudes to a 'fatherland'
 * love or devotion to one's country or homeland

There seem to be two main varieties of patriotism:
 * Broad patriotism is the support of one's country towards a goal of being a better country, recognizing that it may yet have serious flaws.
 * Narrow patriotism is taking the side of one's country in any disagreement (i.e. supporting the idea that our side should win), regardless of which side may have a morally better case.

Both forms are willing to defend a homeland against unprovoked attack, though for subtly different reasons.

Narrow patriotism equates to "My country, right or wrong!", an attitude which broad patriots often find morally reprehensible.

Related Pages

 * Issuepedia:reclaiming words

Reference

 * Merriam-Webster
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News & Views

 * 2007-11-13 On patriotism
 * 1911 Patriotism: A Menace to Liberty by Emma Goldman