Patriotism versus Imperialism

Abstract

Patriotism has been a concern in all societies as citizens contemplate making special sacrifices for their nations. In existing literature, patriotism is usually understood as one's feeling for his or her community, devotion to the nation, or allegiance to the state. In general, patriotism can be interior or exterior depending on whether the commitment is for ensuring national progress internally or for protecting national interest from external forces. The exterior mode of patriotism often takes the form of nationalism, emphasizing the priority of collective national interest over fragmented individual or group interests. Although patriotism or nationalism in the former colonies became a means of liberation, in many instances it has been used as a pretext or rhetoric to suppress minorities, practice social exclusion, deny human rights, and dominate powerless nations. When nationalism is used to legitimize international domination, it often constitutes imperialism, which is rationalized as the duty of stronger nations to enhance progress in weaker, backward nations. This is accomplished through various forms of control based on consent or coercion. In short, the concepts of nationalism and imperialism are related—beyond the purpose of national liberation, nationalism can be used for legitimizing the imperialistic mission of international hegemony.The incidence of patriotism and nationalism intensified during the two worldwars, the anti-colonial movements, and the Cold War. But the last quarter of thetwentieth century saw the diminishing signi.cance of patriotic or nationaliststances, when the process of globalization made national borders less relevant,the demise of the Cold War led to the delegitimation of state-centric nationalsecurity, the rise of neoliberal free trade rendered national economic protectionism almost obsolete, and the denationalization of state enterprises increased foreign investment and ownership. Gradually there emerged issues and concerns—including environmental disorder, unsustainable development, poverty and unemployment, and gender inequality—which required international cooperation and a global agenda beyond national self-interest.Recently, however, there has been a resurgence of patriotic sentiment in theU.S. in response to the national insecurity induced by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and reinforcedby political leaders, policy experts, and media networks. These disastrous attacks generated an intense world reaction, increased the sense of vulnerability, provoked anti-terrorist legislation and security measures, and transformed world order and interstate relations. Such reactions, according to some scholars, can be interpreted as patriotic or ideological expressions.