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Patriotism and nationalism are instruments of power
(lemmy.world)
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this post was submitted on 24 Nov 2025
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Patriotism and nationalism are not equivalent.
I still think they have the same effect.
They really don’t.
Nationalism is much more jingoistic and dogmatic - unflinching and unquestioning loyalty to a flag (or regime).
Patriotism is more along the lines of appreciating the positive aspects of one’s country, wanting to make the good parts materially better, and wanting to make the bad parts materially less bad. One can, for example, be a patriot, and simultaneously hate what one’s country is doing.
Here's an example of what I mean: Every ICE employee in the US will claim to be a patriot. I don't think there's much more to say about that.
I'm from Germany myself, and I can assure you that every Nazi in the Third Reich also considered himself a patriot.
Your distinction may be relevant in theory, but it is not in practice.