Why are Americans so Patriotic?

[Robert Ewing]

America is sickly Patriotic because it's a very militaristic race. They revolve around their military lineage. and are proud of it. And rightly so, it's a pretty good military I guess. And that entire military philosophy breeds the need for patriotism.

Being a Brit, it's easy to see how everything they do has a really military vibe to it. But I wouldn't say America is alone in the patriotism thing.

Britain has long lost it's patriotism from a process that started some time in the late 70's, due to lack of faith in the government. France is the same deal. It too used to be a proud militaristic nation, that had a pretty glorious and impressive army. Like or hate France, or the whole Simpson's induced stereotype about them surrendering all the time, France has had a much, MUCH more impressive military lineage than America ever has. The French military was a cause for their Imperial pride, and that has since been lost, due to the obvious WWII, and their government.

China... China is patriotic... Or else.

 

[LogicNProportion]

:I

The cast of Metal Gear Solid is rolling around in their graves.

Patriotism does not mean believing in your government, it means believing in your country. One should always be patriotic, and to help your country thrive to be a better place and to do great things. If you're so cynical a fuckwad, (and believe me, I'm a pretty cynical fuckwad, myself), that you can't appreciate your home, then GTFO.

I speak especially to fellow Americans who complain about some of the most inane bullshit.

 

[LogicNProportion]

Im australian and visited the US a few years ago. a friend gave me a present before i went and it was just a little australian flag thing to hang off my backpack. tacky i know but still the thought was there. walking down the street in upstate NY i was yelled at by a total stranger "how dare you not have the american flag on your bag, this is the usa !, if you dont like it then leave". in general i did find it strange seeing american flags in almost every single place i went, the slogans and jingoism was scary in the slightest and heaven help you if you happened to mention another country does something better because the american way is the best and only way to do things.

i honestly thought it was just a stereotype but ive seen it with my own eyes and its a scary thing and dangerous as well

I can nigh on guarantee, that if you did the same thing with the American flag in Australia you would get roughly the same experience.

Source: I live in Australia.

The patriot loves his country. The nationalist hates every other country. What category do you think that episode falls into?

This one is wise.

 

[Deadpool062]

I'm an American. I am NOT patriotic. Right now our country is in the toilet. I have no problem with any European countries, and I've never been there so it's really not my place to judge anyone from them. The only source of discomfort from England is when I am in a lobby and the only insult screamed at me from a 10 year old kid is "STUPID AMERICAN!".

 

[Daveman]

They're just generally annoyingly enthusiastic whereas by comparison us english are quite pessimistic so it's just basically polar opposites as opposed to one being genuinely stupidly patriotic.

 

[CrimsonBlaze]

I guess Americans are patriotic because we feels as though we need to be an 'example' to the world. Pretty egotistical, I know, but then again, that's not always a bad thing.

if egotistical isn't a bad thing, then why is pride considered a sin?

disclaimer: i am agnostic, i merely study theism.

It's considered a sin because it can drive some people that are full of a deadly sin (pride, sloth, gluttony, lust, greed, wrath, & envy) to do terrible things in the name of that sin. Prideful nations have been driven to the most heinous acts towards humanity and the world. Americans have taken a lot of heat as they were considered the most powerful nation in the world for a while, which only added more fuel to the pride flame.

 

[Atmos Duality]

It is an unfair stereotype.
I imagine there wouldn't be quite so much unrest and apathy among the general populace if we (I'm American) were that patriotic.

 

[Kirke]

I am not patriotic about my country, I am patriotic about my home town and my district. Quite honestly I wouldn't feel bad about a city state of Göteborg.

 

[davidmc1158_v1legacy]

One of the things a lot of folks don't know (including most Americans) is that our culture has a very strong undercurrent called "American Exceptionalism."

It started with the Puritans who thought they were the last "true" Christians on Earth and that they had managed to break away from "corrupt" Europe when they came over. The Puritan colonies were to become the "Shining City on the Hill" that would light everyone's way back to God. At least so they thought.

That concept was morphed into the general American culture after the American Revolution and the writing of the constitution when it became that the United States was the "Shining City" thing and that we somehow had formed the best type of government, society, etc. and were doing it all without falling back into Europe's old-fashioned and corrupt ways.

Every since, the concept has always percolated just below the surface (and sometimes erupting above it) that the United States did/does things differently than everyone else. For example, the U.S. seems to be the only (or at least one of the very few) that tries to claim all of its foreign policy decisions are NOT based upon national interest, but are based on moral/ethical grounds.

As an American, myself, all I can say is that I don't buy it. I understand the concept (I'm a historian, so I darn well better), but I think it is more than a little overblown.

Self-perception is a powerful thing, though, and you should be aware of yourself to understand just what those perceptions might be. Whether they are valid or not is a different debate.

 

[Geeky Anomaly]

The best way I can describe it is like this:

You're sitting in a pub with your wife. She's pretty, she's not perfect, and she does some annoying things from time to time, but you love her with all your being. Then some dude walks up to you and says, "Your wife's a fugly c*** *****!"

Are you just going to sit there and say, "Yea, I guess you're right." Or are you going to punch his lights out? Neither response may be perfect in an ideal world, but it's the only way I can describe American patriotism.

I agree with that point, theres nothing wrong with some patriotism, but the point is, all lot of americans (not all, just the ones often noticed) have a tendence to take it too far. To use your annology;

You're sitting in a pub with your wife. She's pretty, she's not perfect, and she does some annoying things from time to time, but you love her with all your being. Your look around the room, and see lots of other happy couples and decide your wife is better than theirs. You procced to get up and move around the room shoving you wife in the face of all the other men shouting "HAHA my wifes so much better than yours!" and punching anyone who tries to disagree.

OMG...that is HILARIOUS. I agree, some Americans do that. That's why I shake my head when they do that. How the hell do you know that your country is better, if you've NEVER BEEN TO ANY OTHER COUNTRY!?!!?

 

[The .50 Caliber Cow]

Genetically modified foods affects the chemical balance within the brain. When watching certain TV shows, these chemical imbalances are further increased and the common, logical human being becomes a patriotic prick.

Or something.

Moo.

 

[Flizzick]

I always found it a bit odd that here in America you see a lot more patriotism than in most countries. Hell, I may not like everything my country does, but if someone goes and criticizes it without justification I won't just sit there and say "yep, that's us alright."

I understand that in the past we have screwed up on more than a few occasions, and I certainly am not proud of the many recent goof-ups we've had.

I guess closest reason I can come up with is that life here could be much much worse

 

[Riff Moonraker]

It's just the vocal minority. Which unfortunately (as always) are far more in the spotlight than most Americans, who plainly don't give a crap.

Sorry, but its NOT the vocal minority. The vocal minority are actually the ones who are NOT patriotic.

You are wrong, most Americans in this thread agree with me. The people who are not patriotic are the ones you never hear, cause they could care less.

Riiiiiight. The small number of people here hardly make up anything that could be considered a majority in the whole of the good ole USA. My argument stands.

You had no argument, you just said "you are wrong and I am right".
I've had an American girlfriend for a good number of years and what I've experienced from being in her home town, workplace and seeing her friends and family, is that all of them were not patriotic.

They loved their country, don't get me wrong, but they weren't raising a flag and saluting every morning.

Judging by your comment that you've had an American girlfriend, that tells me that you are NOT an American. If thats the case, then our patriotism isnt really something you can truly judge. I said the pledge every morning at my school, my kids say the pledge now every morning at school, and almost everyone I know feels the same way I do about our country. I'm very proud to be an American. You or someone else doesnt like it, good for you. If you arent American, then I honestly cant see how its any of your business. I'm not saying that to be rude, I'm saying that because I really dont see why it matters to you, if you dont live here.

 

[The Human Torch]

Judging by your comment that you've had an American girlfriend, that tells me that you are NOT an American. If thats the case, then our patriotism isnt really something you can truly judge. I said the pledge every morning at my school, my kids say the pledge now every morning at school, and almost everyone I know feels the same way I do about our country. I'm very proud to be an American. You or someone else doesnt like it, good for you. If you arent American, then I honestly cant see how its any of your business. I'm not saying that to be rude, I'm saying that because I really dont see why it matters to you, if you dont live here.

Indeed, I am not American, but as an outsider from a country (the Netherlands, where modesty is a way of life) that is anything but patriotic, it makes me the perfect judge.

I do not care how patriotic you are, for all I know you fly an American bald eagle to work, while playing Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen on your Ipod, and I would lose no sleep because of it, nor will I give it a second thought.

The OP of this thread simply asked for people's general opinion, not just Americans. I gave mine and my view on American patriotism. I am sorry that this does not match with your view of your country.

 

[Rin Little]

Honestly, I'm American and I hate it. I'm frankly embarrassed to be counted as an American in most instances when it comes right down to it, just because of other people's blatant stupidity and blind patriotism. I've said as much plenty of times, like when there were riots when they were going to build a Mosque near the site of Ground Zero (near, not on) and this stupid pastor was convincing people to go out and get a Qu'Ran so they could have a book burning.

 

[StarCecil]

I love my country and it has done many good things for myself and others. Why shouldn't I be patriotic?

 

[Ohhi]

I'm american and I feel no patriotism towards my country at all maybe it's cause I'm not some gun toting, cousin fucking redneck but I feel no love for my country I hate it with a passion and wish I could leave but unfortunatley I am a poor college student and can not afford to move out of country.

 

[sleeky01]

The best way I can describe it is like this:

You're sitting in a pub with your wife. She's pretty, she's not perfect, and she does some annoying things from time to time, but you love her with all your being. Then some dude walks up to you and says, "Your wife's a fugly c*** *****!"

Are you just going to sit there and say, "Yea, I guess you're right." Or are you going to punch his lights out? Neither response may be perfect in an ideal world, but it's the only way I can describe American patriotism.

I agree with that point, theres nothing wrong with some patriotism, but the point is, all lot of americans (not all, just the ones often noticed) have a tendence to take it too far. To use your annology;

You're sitting in a pub with your wife. She's pretty, she's not perfect, and she does some annoying things from time to time, but you love her with all your being. Your look around the room, and see lots of other happy couples and decide your wife is better than theirs. You procced to get up and move around the room shoving you wife in the face of all the other men shouting "HAHA my wifes so much better than yours!" and punching anyone who tries to disagree.

OMG...that is HILARIOUS. I agree, some Americans do that. That's why I shake my head when they do that. How the hell do you know that your country is better, if you've NEVER BEEN TO ANY OTHER COUNTRY!?!!?

Because the television said so.

 

[DesertMummy]

My guess is insecurity, or over compensation, as America for the most part blows. I can say that too, as I live here. And don't try to say it isn't a true stereotype, or it is a minority, because it is a true stereotype, and it is the majority. If I had a choice, I'd likely live in Canada.

 

[ProtoformX]

it might be just an unfair stereotype, but it's generally believed that if you badmouth america, any nearby americans will go up in arms and get very angry, and i'm just wondering why. Just to clarify, i have nothing against america, but i hardly think it's anything to write home about. and don't say that anyone would be that way about their home country, because if someone came up to be and said "hey, england's crap!" i'd just say "yeah, it is a bit"

And other countries aren't? Have you ever watched an episode of Doctor Who? VERY Nationalist British. And I like it. And I'm an American. Who serves in the armed forces. Seriously, why was this topic needed?