It’s Flag Day. The observance prompts pushback from some about the value of patriotism, particularly among the young. As America approaches its 250th birthday, a recent poll found that only 56% of Americans ages 18 to 34 consider themselves patriotic.Is patriotism necessary? Is it naive? Or is it even dangerous, either because the sentiment suspends critical thinking or because it provides a pretext for poor policy, becoming a “virtue of the vicious” as goes the saying attributed to Oscar Wilde?But patriotism does matter, and it’s a good thing. It’s not an unquestioned acceptance of a nation’s status quo or unthinking obedience to its government or leaders. It can be distinguished from chauvinism or jingoism, as it doesn’t dictate how one regards or behaves toward other countries. You can be patriotic even if you don’t believe in American exceptionalism. Citizens of other countries should be patriotic about their nations, too.
TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICANS BELIEVE FOUNDING FATHERS WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED IN THE NATION AT 250
Patriotism is simply gratitude for and loyalty toward your country and its institutions in consideration for what they’ve given you. These twin sentiments should stir in citizens a desire to care about their country, to defend it, and to make it better.
