Sunday, July 15, 2012

Patriotism: My Country, Right or Wrong





Patriotism is a much respected trait, dignified over the years of the formation of countries. But what is patriotism? A dictionary may define it as love of a country and willingness to sacrifice for it, but it carefully forgets to mention that it is also mild fanaticism  It is your conviction that your country is superior to others just because you were born in it. It is the willingness of not sacrificing yourself, but killing others just because a small part of the earth is divided and called your own. In the true sense, patriotism is quite exhilarating, a powerful motivator, albeit a destructive one.
In the end, isn't it just another type of discrimination, a geographical one? Just because the other person is far away and alienated from our view, he's to be afraid of, destroyed and removed. But it is still brought upon every political meet; you don't agree with a new policy? Anti patriot, didn't like the recent tax inflation? Anti-patriot.

Heroes on command, senseless violence and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism; how passionately I hate them. -Albert Einstein
Patriotism is something to be proud of. It gives the 'noble' citizens something to be proud of, however trivial. Pride. Wasn't it one of the seven deadly sins? Patriotism is what Hitler used, and I don't see him being worshipped. Be a good citizen, believe what you are told as it is all for freedom and peace. A patriot is sure of himself, with no self doubt in his mind. After all, what is greater than your 'own' country? Definitely not that third world one! Patriotism doesn't just go along the way of loving your country too, but reaches the conception of hating the others'.



Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England or America or Germany. That is understood. After all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country; our country, your country.
 Patriotism also associates various national stereotypes that are redundant. But stop and reflect, what do YOU think of the feeling of patriotism? Comment below.



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1 comments:

Anonymous said...

I honestly think the worl would be a better place without patriotism.

But as long as we divide our world into different nations and humanity into different races, there will be people who are willing to defend their nation by any meaning... Even if that means invading other countries and commiting horrible crimes on the people there.

It`s time to realise we`re all living on the SAME planet and we`re all just humans!

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