patriotism vs nationalism

With the recent death of a former decent president back in the Philippines and recent Fourth of July celebrations in the USA, issues regarding beliefs that drive and affect us have come up once more.

Patriotism is love for or devotion to one’s country. The feeling of pride, devotion, and attachment to a homeland, as well as a feeling of attachment to other patriotic citizens. The feelings of attachment may be further bound up in factors like race or ethnicity, culture, religious beliefs, or history.

Nationalism is loyalty and devotion to a nation. Feelings of nationalism are based on a belief that one’s country is superior to all others. It also carries a connotation of distrust or disapproval of other countries, leading to the assumption that other countries are rivals.

They may have similarities but there’s a world of difference between the two — they are not in the least synonymous. Patriotism is the love of one’s identity and achievement to better the world and future generations. Nationalism is believing your identity and achievements are better than those of others.

While patriots do not automatically denigrate other countries, nationalists do. At times to the point of calling for their country’s global dominance. Nationalism, through its protectionist beliefs, is the polar opposite of globalism — insular and not inclusive.

Fourth of July is arguably the most “American” of holidays, closely rivaled by Groundhog Day (really? who is foolish enough to be dictated upon by an animal? much less carry on such a silly tradition? that should have been my red flag — right?).

The reputation of being “American” has been brewing for centuries. With flower power in the 60s and 70s our generation protested both the Marcos dictatorship and American imperialism.

I moved to the US to escape the dreadful inequality and corruption of the Philippines. Driven by the constant desire and growing need to separate myself from the country I was born and raised in. After decades of procrastination, I moved to America when I turned 50 in 2006.

Little did I know that after eight blissful years of the Obama administration the nation would vote the most inept imbecile into office — against the most qualified opponent because she was a pushy loud female. The following years we watched the unfolding horror of crumbled beliefs smacked aside by blatant bigotry.

No sticking that demon back in its cage once unleashed. Who knows how long it will take to clean up the mess? Empires tumbled down as we dig through the carnage and chaos of some fool on the Hill or try to oust yet another sick dictator drunk on power and privilege.

Will we ever learn? Fee fi fo fum!

Originally published at http://changewarrior.blogspot.com.