[OutOfControl]

Hello,

I'm working on a project for school. I have to give a presentation about patriotism, nationalism and religion in America. So, I have some questions that you might be able to answer. I'm from Germany by the way, so try your best to convience me.

1.) What is patriotism for you?
2.) When did you realize you were patriotic? When did your love for your country start?
3.) Why patriotism? What is your motivation behind it?
4.) Do you really think the USA is better than other countries? Can you try to give proof if you use numbers and statistics (e.g. America is the country that gives the most development aid), please?
5.) What part does the military play in your patriotic-world-view? What is so fascinating about the military?
6.) Even though you love your country there have to be downsides. Name a few of them!
7.) When does patriotism go too far? Where is the line between extrem nationalism, which is obviously a bad thing, and extreme patriotism?
8.) Does a black American person have the same right to be patriotic as a white American person?
9.) What would you think about the idea of Germans being extremely patriotic? Would you just leave them just like you are left with your view or would you think that this would be dangerous?
10.) Any other thoughts on patriotism?

I would really appreciate your help! You don't have to answer all questions, of course. I'm perfectly happy with just a few ones answered.

[Peter Ansoff]

Hello, O.O.C.! I will try to answer some of your questions. I may not be able to do all of them in one message, so we will see.

Will you also tell us what your answers are to these questions?

1.) What is patriotism for you?

The USA is different from many other countries, because we define our identity in terms of a set of basic ideas rather than a cultural heritage. In Germany, for example, you have a history, language and cultural identity that is a thousand years old. It is easy to say what a "German" is -- it is a person who was born in, and lives in, that culture. The USA is different. We are made up of people from many different cultures, and what we have in common is a belief that people with different backgrounds, beliefs and value systems can live and thrive together in a self-governing society. Patriotism, for me, is a belief that the fundamental values we share -- liberty, equality, mutual respect and cooperative self-government -- are good things, and are worth sacrificing for.

Of course, there are many cases in which the USA has not lived up to these ideals. However, the point is that we are trying to do so, and will keep trying. Perhaps I am idealistic, but I think that with each generation we are getting a bit closer.

2.) When did you realize you were patriotic? When did your love for your country start?

I don't think that it's possible to answer this question. I have lived in this country almost my entire life, and I suppose everyone tends to become attached to what they are accustomed to. Also, I have had a lifelong interest in history, and I am inspired by the story of how our ancestors struggled with the ideas that define our nation, and how they, as fallible human beings, have tried to resolve the problems that they faced.

3.) Why patriotism? What is your motivation behind it?

My reasons are both idealistic and practical. Idealistically, I think that the ideals I described above (in "1.)") are good things. Practically, I think that encouraging them will result in a better life and future for me, my family and my community.

4.) Do you really think the USA is better than other countries? Can you try to give proof if you use numbers and statistics (e.g. America is the country that gives the most development aid), please?

I don't think that true patriotism has anything to do with being "better" than someone else. Each country has its own history and its own philosophical basis for nationhood, which in turn affect its beliefs, laws, etc.

That is not to say that I think all beliefs are of equal value. For example, I think that democracy is better than dictatorship, and liberty is better than repression. However, there is considerable room for disagreement within such parameters. To use an example that involves flags: In your country, it is illegal to display a flag with a swastika. In the USA, it is legal, and the idea that it would be illegal seems strange to us. This is not because we like what the swastika stands for -- we know that it is a symbol of an evil, repugnant philosophy that has no place in the civilized world. However, we believe that freedom of speech includes the right to express repugnant beliefs, and that the best way to counter them is by open argument rather than suppression.

5.) What part does the military play in your patriotic-world-view? What is so fascinating about the military?

I am not sure what you mean by "fascinating." We respect and support our military, because they are willing to risk their lives to defend our country's ideals. We are also proud of our national tradition of civilian control of the military. Not all Americans agree on the wisdom or correctness of our leaders' decisions, but we know that disagreement is part and parcel of a healthy democracy.

To be continued in a later post!

Peter Ansoff

[Peter Ansoff]

Continuing . . .

6.) Even though you love your country there have to be downsides. Name a few of them!

One of the great problems that the USA faces is simply that we are big. Our land area is comparable to all of Europe put together, and New York City, alone, has more people than many European countries. Governing such a nation under a democratic system is a major challenge all by itself, even in this modern era of of mass communication and transportation.

The most challenging problem that we face, however, comes from what I pointed out back in "1)" -- we are composed of people from many different cultures. Human nature seems to include an inate suspicion of people who are "different," and this has been expressed in American history in various, usually ugly, ways. The challenge is to figure out how build a consensus among all of our cultural groups that gives us a basis for an equitable, democratic society.

7.) When does patriotism go too far? Where is the line between extrem nationalism, which is obviously a bad thing, and extreme patriotism?

I think what you're really asking is what defines "extreme." In the American context, it's usually when a particular group decides that "True American" means "Just Like Us." Patriotism then becomes a commitment to a particular culture and history, rather than to a set of common ideals. This is a recurring thread in American history, and it continues today in the discussions over our immigration policy.

8.) Does a black American person have the same right to be patriotic as a white American person?

Patriotism is a question of beliefs, not "rights." I think what you're really asking is "Does a black American have the same *reason* to be patriotic as a white person?" That is impossible to answer without doing a survey. However, it is worth noting that African Americans (and also Asians, Native Americans and other cultural groups) have fought with great courage and distinction in the US armed forces, even when their families and friends were being badly mistreated at home. Obviously, those people felt that the USA was worth fighting and dying for. I cannot speculate on why they felt this way, except that maybe it had something to do with what I said back in "1)" -- we're trying to make our society better.

9.) What would you think about the idea of Germans being extremely patriotic? Would you just leave them just like you are left with your view or would you think that this would be dangerous?

I don't really understand your question. Blind patriotism -- that is, the notion that "we are better" simply because we're Americans, Germans, Albanians, or whatever -- is not a good thing. I would hope that German patriotism would be based on a common understanding of the things that their society values. I would like to hear your comments on this question. What is your opinion, for example, on the status of Turkish workers in Germany, and especially of their German-born descendents?

Peter Ansoff