Patriotism as a Tool

Americans are renowned for their patriotism. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, 20% of Americans believe that the U.S. “stands above all other countries in the world.” Meanwhile, only 27% think “there are other countries that are better than the U.S.”

Imagine meeting someone who genuinely believes they are the world’s greatest human being. How would you react? We all know there’s no such thing as the “world’s greatest human.” Greatness requires context. For example, we can’t call a hammer the world’s greatest tool because its utility depends on the situation. Try eating soup with a hammer, and you’ll see my point.

The same principle applies to people and countries. To measure greatness, we need context.

“The Greatest Democracy in the History of the World”

During the 2024 U.S. elections, Vice President Kamala Harris declared, “We are the heirs to the greatest democracy in the history of the world.” Her statement might seem clear as she’s referring to democracy, but what does "greatest" really mean?

If Harris meant “largest democracy,” then India surpasses the U.S. by population. If she meant “best democracy,” how do we define “best”? Democracy means “rule of the people,” but at least 20 nations granted women the right to vote before the U.S. did. Is a democracy still the "greatest" if half the population couldn’t vote for much of its history?

According to the Democracy Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the U.S. was downgraded from a “full democracy” to a “flawed democracy” in 2017.

“It’s Sweet and Fitting to Die for One’s Country”

Merriam-Webster defines a patriot as someone “who loves and supports their country.” We are many who love and support our countries, but how our patriotism is expressed varies from person to person and culture to culture. Yet, history has shown that patriotism is a powerful tool for uniting and mobilizing populations.

Consider World War I. In Britain, posters proclaimed, “Britons. Join Your Country's Army!” or “Women of Britain Say 'Go!'” In the U.S., similar messages read, “I Want YOU for U.S. Army” or “The Navy Needs You—Don’t Read American History—Make It!” Such calls to action relied on a willingness to sacrifice. As Roman poet Horace famously wrote in 23 BC: “It’s sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.”

China’s Patriotic Education Law

On January 1, 2024, China implemented a “Patriotic Education Law.” Consider Article 2 of the law:

“The state is to carry out patriotic education among all the people, cultivating and enhancing the attachment of the Chinese people to the great motherland, passing on the spirit of the people, enhancing the perception of the state, solidifying and uniting all patriotic forces, making patriotism a resolute belief, spiritual force, and conscious action for all the people.”*

Why would a country feel the need for such a law? What does it aim to achieve?

Patriotism as a Tool

Humans possess an innate desire to belong. This need is so powerful that many are willing to compromise their values to maintain membership in a group. Wartime observations have shown how ordinary individuals can commit unimaginable atrocities, such as killing innocent civilians, simply to preserve a sense of belonging.

Patriotism taps directly into this need for belonging. The more patriotic we feel, the greater our willingness to make sacrifices for our country. Political decision-makers can exploit this. By employing patriotic rhetoric, they try to strengthen group identity and influence what thoughts and behaviors are accepted by the public.

Now, patriotism isn’t all bad. It unites people and encourages us to strive toward a common goal. The danger arises when patriotism is misused, particularly by those in power, to serve personal agendas.

Another problem is when patriotism becomes so excessive that it blinds people to their country’s flaws. This can stifle a country’s growth—why strive for improvement if perfection has already been achieved? It can also lead to a collective rewriting of history, making the state seem better than it really is, thereby reinforcing the belief that it’s exceptional.

Final Thoughts

Patriotism is a double-edged sword. It can inspire and unite, but it can also be manipulated to suppress dissent and justify harmful actions. The key is to recognize patriotism for what it is—a tool. Like any tool, it should be used wisely, with accountability and reflection, lest it become a weapon turned against us.

*Translated by China Law Translate (CLT)

Article from the Natural Followership channel at Substack.