Patriotism: Insights from Israel By Eyal Lewin

Chapter 1:

Defining Patriotism

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an object of loyalty (Oldenquist, 1982). Devotion is a human trait; it is the fundamental foundation for any social life, social life being the support of the attitudes and actions of ideas and organizations that belong to collective groups (Grodzins, 1956). There is no such thing as a person who shares no loyalty because loyalties form frameworks for one’s very existence. It is devotion that allows one to relinquish the need for a reestablishment of decisions in every junction of life (Grodzins, 1956). Thus, loyalties are what keep social forces in play. These collective loyalties are far stronger than any idea of justice or ethics, and they are the grounds for people’s readiness to devote, to contribute, to sacrifice what it takes (Oldenquist, 1982).

One’s circle of devotion is the specific social group that receives and reciprocates one’s loyalty. This group forms a reflection, mirroring for each person his or her life and the manner in which he or she views the social settings that surround him or her. Without this set of loyal relationships, life is practically impossible. It would, therefore, be correct to claim that one’s loyalty to the group is no more than one’s loyalty to oneself and that any malfunction of this loyal connection is bound to lead to personal failure and a deep loss of-self respect (Grodzins, 1956; Heckert & Heckert, 2004).

In spite of being one private case of loyalty, patriotism is distinctly different from any other form of devotion. Patriotic loyalty involves an understanding that the beloved state deserves dedication because of the values it stands for. It is, therefore, important to point out how patriotism relates to various characteristics of the state and what qualities are admired by those seeking to reinforce their patriotism (Keller, 2005).

Understanding this combination of loyalty to the state with loyalty to the ideas for which it stands enables one to relate to the patriotic theme in John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address (Kennedy, 1961):

[…] The same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe—the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.