Patriotism

Is America an Idea?

The civic-nationalist view holds that subscribing to the philosophy of the Founding—equality, opportunity, individualism—is the defining trait of the American people. But others argue that it is those uniquely American practices that order the rhythms of life that make us love the United States as our home...

Sibelius, “Finlandia,” and the Cry of Freedom

In 1900, Jean Sibelius revised his patriotic tone-poem, Finlandia, and its popularity grew in leaps and bounds. Suddenly the world knew about Sibelius, Finlandia, and Finnish national pride... Jean Sibelius Jean Sibelius’ tone-poem, Finlandia, wasn’t supposed to be the...

Nationalism and Totalitarianism

The militant nationalism of the twentieth century made it futile to assert clear ideas, to ask honest questions, to make reasoned judgments, or to engage in truthful debate... Permit me to begin at the end. Joseph Pearce...

Defending Dr. Johnson

Samuel Johnson believed that just as pedants can abuse the objective meaning of words, distorting them for their own purposes, so can scoundrels abuse the healthy love of home and homeland, parroting patriotic words for self-serving reasons...

Harry Jaffa, Walter Berns, & American Conservatism

Historical context, for members of the Straussian school, is "historicism," a form of moral relativism that believes that there are no fixed truths, only ideas appropriate for their historical moment... Patriotism Is Not Enough: Harry Jaffa, Walter Berns, and the Arguments That Redefined...

Toward Patriotism: An Alternative to Nationalism

Nationalism has not brought and will not bring unity, if for no other reason than nationalism insists on uniformity and must always exclude those who do not conform. Yet, if there is a chance to achieve some measure of unity, patriotism might enable it...

How to Be an American

The one thing every American shares is that we are immigrants, and this gives birth to our self-reliance, our willingness to risk tomorrow on faith, and our freedom from many of the cultural straitjackets found back in the Old Country. It’s all there in the art. All...

“Delicate Cluster”

Delicate cluster! flag of teeming life! Covering all my lands—all my sea-shores lining! Flag of death! (how I watch'd you through the smoke of battle pressing! How I heard you flap and rustle, cloth defiant!) Flag cerulean—sunny flag, with the orbs of night...

What Is Patriotism?

Is the true patriot one who is committed to supporting and preferring the actions of his country simply because they are the actions of his country? Or is a real patriot one who loves his country because he loves the common project her citizens pursue?...

The Dangers of Diseased Patriotism

There is something more dangerous than secularism, and that is a nation-state masquerading as God incarnate... Americanism: The Fourth Great Western Religion, by David Gelernter (Doubleday, 2007)

Violence with a Purpose: Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge”

In this secular age, the fact that Mel Gibson did not shy away from the reality that the hero of Hacksaw Ridge was a conservative, Bible-believing Christian makes the film all the more astounding... Mel Gibson’s new film, Hacksaw Ridge...

The Virtues of Patriotism, the Vices of Nationalism

Patriotism—the love of place, countrymen, and local traditions—lasted for millennia, until replaced by nationalism, which we believe is a natural outgrowth of tribal life, instead of an invention of Western Europe... I sat through...

A Review: “Look Homeward, America”

Look Homeward, America, by Bill Kauffman Bill Kauffman is not ashamed to be an American. In fact, he loves his country, though he is also at pains to...

New Groundbreaking Study of Edmund Burke

Patriotism and Public Spirit: Edmund Burke and the Role of the Critic in Mid-18th Century Britain, is a groundbreaking study of the great political philosopher Edmund Burke. The book provides a scholarly advancement...