The Negative Effects of Patriotism

Patriotism is a powerful force in a nation's self-identity.

It isn't inherently inappropriate to demonstrate loyalty and devotion to your native land, but patriotism can become a problem when it's misguided and abused. War, injustice and intolerance can ensue when overblown patriotism targets other countries or communities.

Warfare

The United States is not alone among countries in demonstrating the relationship between patriotism and war. Patriotism rises when American foreign policy targers another country. At the same time, patriotism can encourage a populace to accept a government's engagement with war. America's tempestuous relationship with the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War exhibits both of these characteristics.

Jinogism

Jingoism is extreme and excessive nationalism. America's Alien and Sedition Acts of the late 18th century demonstrated jingoism because they were enacted to protect the country from supposed enemy aliens, yet made it essentially illegal to criticize the government. The Spanish American War of the following century was spurred by encouragement from the jingoistic "yellow press" to go to war with Spain.

Xenophobia

Related to jingoism and also a product of misplaced patriotism is xenophobia, the irrational fear and loathing of foreigners or strangers. America's mistreatment of Irish immigrants in the 1800s provides an example of xenophobia's effects. The 1840 potato famine led to an increase in American newcomers of Irish descent, yet they were condescended to and accused of robbing native-born people of their jobs. Violence against these immigrants was so rampant that insurance companies often refused to insure them.

Genocide

Patriotism can also foster approval of genocide or ethnic cleansing, as was evidenced by Nazism. This brand of socialism was endemic to Germany, beginning in the 1930s under Adolf Hitler. The movement condoned racism against Jews. It also eventually condoned a massive extermination of these people, known as the Holocaust. Sophisticated propaganda stoked this extreme patriotism and encouraged a belief in the unsubstantiated superiority of people of the Aryan race.

References

• Dissident Voice: Patriotism -- A Negative Assessment; Edward Jayne; September 2007
• University of Texas at Austin; Dan Rather and the Problem With Patriotism ...; Robert Jensen; 2003
• University of Michigan: Germans Beginning to Regain Patriotism
• PK Articleshub.com; Peter King and the American Jingoism; Nawaz Ansari
• Houston Catholic Worker; The Truth About Immigrants: Xenophobia Existed in Early America; Brian Frezelle
• Worldly Mind; Creelman in Cuba; Frederic A. Moritz; 1997