Patriotism Vs Nationalism | What is the difference between Patriotism and Nationalism?

Summary

In 'Illustrate to Educate,' Dan Zimmerman explores the nuanced differences between patriotism and nationalism. He traces the origins of both terms, noting that while patriotism emerged in 1653, emphasizing love and unity for one's country, nationalism appeared later, around the 19th century, and has evolved to include a sense of superiority and exclusivity. Zimmerman highlights that patriotism is generally positive, associated with devotion to a country's values like freedom and justice, whereas nationalism can carry negative connotations, often linked with distrust of other nations. He also discusses the potential positive role of nationalism in uniting people against injustice, such as in the Zionist movement. The video invites viewers to reflect on these concepts and their implications in contemporary society.

Takeaways

• 📜 The term 'patriotism' dates back to around 1653, while 'nationalism' didn't emerge until the late 18th century, about 150 years later.
• 🔍 Initially, 'nationalism' and 'patriotism' were used interchangeably, but their meanings have diverged over time.
• ❤️ Patriotism is defined as a love for one's country and unity with fellow citizens who share that love.
• 🏛 Nationalism involves loyalty and devotion to one's nation, with an emphasis on promoting its culture and interests above others.
• 🤔 The distinction between patriotism and nationalism is debated, with no official consensus among scholars.
• 🌟 Patriotism is often associated with positive values like freedom, justice, equality, and bravery.
• 🏅 Nationalism can imply a belief in the superiority of one's nation and may include distrust or disapproval of other countries.
• 💭 Patriotism is seen as inherently good, believing in the goodness of the government and people working together for a better life.
• 🏙 Nationalism can be associated with political ideologies that promote extreme and exclusionary love of one's country.
• 👍 Nationalism has been a motivator for independence movements and can be used to unite people against injustice.
• 🌐 The script suggests that embracing a strong national identity might be key to achieving peace in regions divided by tribal and religious identities.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video 'Illustrate to Educate' by Dan Zimmerman?

The main topic of the video is to explore and explain the essential differences between patriotism and nationalism.

When does the word 'patriotism' date back to, according to the script?

The word 'patriotism' dates back to around 1653, with the word 'patriot' traceable even further to the Greek word 'patrio', meaning 'one's father'.

How does the script describe the early use of the word 'nationalism' in comparison to 'patriotism'?

The script indicates that 'nationalism' was not in use until just before the 19th century, almost 150 years after 'patriotism', and initially, the two terms were largely interchangeable.

What is the current definition of 'patriotism' as per the video?

Patriotism is defined as the feeling of love for one's country, along with a feeling of unity with those who share those feelings, and is also described as devoted love, support, and defense of one's country.

What is the modern definition of 'nationalism' according to the script?

Nationalism is defined as loyalty and devotion to a nation, with an added emphasis on exalting one's nation above all others and promoting its culture and interests over those of other nations.

What is the key difference between patriotism and nationalism as discussed in the video?

The key difference is that patriotism is based on positive values and the belief in the inherent goodness of one's country and its people, while nationalism is based on the belief in the superiority of one's country over others and can carry connotations of distrust or disapproval of other countries.

How does the video describe the connotation of the term 'nationalism' in contemporary usage?

The video describes the term 'nationalism' as generally having a negative connotation, often associated with extreme and exclusionary ideologies that prioritize one's country at the expense of others.

What is the perspective of Sidney J. Harris on the difference between patriotism and nationalism, as mentioned in the video?

Sidney J. Harris suggests that the difference between patriotism and nationalism is that a patriot is proud of their country for what it does, while a nationalist is proud of their country no matter what it does.

Can nationalism ever be seen as positive or beneficial, according to the video?

Yes, the video suggests that nationalism can be a strong motivator for uniting people, driving independence movements, and potentially contributing to peace negotiations by fostering a strong national identity over tribal or religious identities.

What is the script's advice on how to use the terms 'patriotism' and 'nationalism'?

The script advises to keep context and connotation in mind when using these terms, as 'patriotism' generally has a positive connotation associated with love of country and serving the greater good, while 'nationalism' often has a negative connotation linked to extreme ideologies.

What does the video suggest for viewers to do after watching?

The video encourages viewers to like, share, and subscribe to 'Illustrate to Educate', comment on their thoughts about patriotism and nationalism, and to check out other videos on the channel.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Patriotism and Nationalism

Dan Zimmerman introduces the topic of the difference between patriotism and nationalism, inviting viewers to subscribe for more educational content. He begins by exploring the historical origins of both terms, noting that patriotism dates back to 1653, while nationalism emerged later, around the 19th century. Initially, the two were used interchangeably, but their meanings have since diverged. Patriotism is described as a love for one's country and unity with fellow citizens, whereas nationalism involves loyalty and devotion to one's nation, often with an emphasis on superiority over others.

🏛 Definitions and Distinctions

This section delves into the definitions of patriotism and nationalism, highlighting their essential differences. Patriotism is characterized by a love for one's country and a belief in its inherent goodness, promoting a positive value system such as freedom, justice, and equality. Nationalism, in contrast, is defined by loyalty and devotion but also includes the belief in the nation's superiority and the promotion of its interests above others. The summary also touches on the debate among scholars regarding the distinction between the two concepts, emphasizing the subjective nature of these definitions.

🤔 Comparing Patriotism and Nationalism

The script discusses how to compare the two concepts, noting the ongoing debate and lack of consensus among scholars and social scientists. Patriotism is associated with positive values and the belief in the goodness of the country's system and people, while nationalism is tied to a belief in the nation's superiority and can carry connotations of distrust towards other countries. The comparison is further illustrated with a quote from Sidney J. Harris, which differentiates the two by the motivations behind one's pride in their country.

🌐 Contemporary Usage and Perceptions

This paragraph examines the contemporary use of the terms patriotism and nationalism, emphasizing the importance of context and connotation. Patriotism generally carries a positive connotation, associated with love for one's country and actions that serve the greater good. Nationalism, however, often has a negative connotation, linked to extreme ideologies and movements that prioritize national interests over others, sometimes leading to exclusionary practices towards foreigners and immigrants.

💭 The Role of Nationalism

The final paragraph explores the role of nationalism, challenging the assumption that it is always negative. It acknowledges nationalism's potential as a unifying force in struggles against injustice and its role in driving independence movements, such as the Zionist movement that led to the creation of modern Israel. The discussion also considers the potential for nationalism to contribute to peace in regions like the Middle East by fostering a strong national identity that could facilitate negotiations and unity over divisive tribal and religious identities.

Keywords

💡Patriotism

Patriotism is the feeling of love for one's country, coupled with a sense of unity with fellow citizens who share those sentiments. It is defined in the video as 'devoted love, support, and defense of one's country.' The concept is central to the video's theme, contrasting it with nationalism. Patriotism is portrayed as inherently positive, based on values such as freedom, justice, and equality, and is exemplified by the belief in the goodness of the country's system and people.

💡Nationalism

Nationalism, as defined in the video, is loyalty and devotion to a nation, but it also includes the exaltation of one's nation above all others and a focus on promoting its culture and interests. Unlike patriotism, nationalism can carry negative connotations, often associated with distrust or disapproval of other countries. The script uses nationalism to illustrate a more extreme form of love for one's country that can lead to exclusionary ideologies.

💡History

The history of the terms 'patriotism' and 'nationalism' is discussed to trace their origins and evolution. 'Patriotism' is the older term, dating back to around 1653, while 'nationalism' emerged later, just before the 19th century. Understanding the historical context helps to explain the shift in meaning and usage of these terms over time.

💡Unity

Unity is a key aspect of patriotism as described in the video, referring to the collective feeling of oneness among citizens who love their country. It is related to the theme by illustrating the positive social cohesion that patriotism can foster, in contrast to the divisive nature that can be associated with nationalism.

💡Devotion

Devotion in the context of the video refers to the deep commitment and loyalty one has towards their country. It is a common element in both patriotism and nationalism, but the video explains how it manifests differently in each concept, with patriotism being more inclusive and nationalism potentially being exclusive.

💡Exaltation

Exaltation is the act of raising something to a high level of importance or esteem. In the video, it is used to describe how nationalism involves placing one's nation above all others, which can lead to a sense of superiority and potentially negative attitudes towards other nations.

💡Policies

Policies are mentioned in the video in relation to nationalism as the 'policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one's own nation.' This term helps to understand how nationalism can translate into political actions that prioritize national interests over global or communal interests.

💡Positive Values

Positive values such as freedom, justice, equality, and bravery are associated with patriotism in the video. These values are what patriots believe their country embodies and strive to uphold, distinguishing patriotism as a positive and unifying force.

💡Superiority

The concept of superiority is linked to nationalism in the video, suggesting that nationalists believe their country is superior to others. This belief can lead to negative perceptions of other nations and a disregard for their interests or values.

💡Connotation

Connotation refers to the associations or feelings that a word invokes. In the video, the connotations of patriotism and nationalism are discussed, with patriotism generally having a positive connotation and nationalism often having a negative one, depending on the context in which it is used.

💡Struggle Against Injustice

The video mentions that nationalism can serve as a motivator for uniting people in the struggle against injustice, using the example of the Zionist movement. This shows that while nationalism can have negative aspects, it can also be a force for positive change in certain contexts.

Highlights

Dan Zimmerman introduces the topic of the difference between patriotism and nationalism.

Patriotism is the older term, with evidence dating back to 1653, while nationalism emerged around the 19th century.

Nationalism was initially used interchangeably with patriotism but has since evolved to have a distinct meaning.

Patriotism is defined as love for one's country and unity with fellow citizens.

Nationalism involves loyalty and devotion to one's nation, with an emphasis on promoting its culture and interests above others.

Nationalism can include the policy of asserting one's nation's interests over those of other nations or the common good.

The difference between patriotism and nationalism is largely debated, with no official consensus among scholars.

Patriotism is associated with positive values such as freedom, justice, equality, bravery, and devotion.

Nationalism is often based on a belief in the superiority of one's country and can carry connotations of distrust towards others.

Patriotism is generally seen as inherently good, working for a better quality of life, while nationalism can be more exclusionary.

Sidney J. Harris' outlook differentiates the two by stating that a patriot is proud of their country for its actions, whereas a nationalist is proud regardless of actions.

Patriotism is used positively for sentiments and actions involving love of country and service to its people.

Nationalism often has a negative connotation, associated with extreme ideologies and movements that exclude others.

Nationalism can be a motivator for uniting people against injustice and has driven independence movements like the Zionist movement.

Some political analysts believe that a strong national identity is key to achieving peace in regions divided by tribal and religious identities.

The video encourages viewers to like, share, subscribe, and comment on their thoughts about patriotism and nationalism.

Transcripts

hey it's dan zimmerman welcome to

illustrate to educate

don't forget to subscribe for weekly

objective videos on topics that matter

have you ever wondered what is the

difference between patriotism and

nationalism

in this video we will look at the

essential differences between these two

let's take a brief look at the history

of the two words and where they

originated

patriotism is the older of the two words

with written evidence dating back to

around 1653

the word patriot itself could even be

traced back further

to the greek word patriots meaning of

one's father

there isn't much evidence of nationalism

occurring until just before the 19th

century

almost 150 years after patriotism and in

its early use and for a number of

decades

nationalism appears to have been largely

interchangeable with patriotism

however in the 19th century and up until

today

nationalism has changed meaning while

the meaning of patriotism has remained

largely unchanged

now let's look at how they're defined

patriotism is the feeling of love for

one's country

along with a feeling of unity with those

who share those feelings

it has also been defined as devoted love

support

and defense of one's country nationalism

on the other hand

is defined as loyalty and devotion to a

nation

but the definition of nationalism also

includes exalting one's nation

above all others and placing primary

emphasis on promotion of its culture

and interests as opposed to those of

other nations

others have defined it as the policy or

doctrine of asserting the interests of

one's own nation

viewed as separate from the interests of

other nations or the common interests of

all nations

now that we've defined them how do we

compare them with each other the

difference between the two words is

largely debated and even today there's

not an official consensus among scholars

and social scientists

some attribute that the feelings of

patriotism are based on the positive

values the country embraces

like freedom justice equality bravery

value and devotion

with patriotism one believes that both

the system of government and the people

of their country are inherently good

and work together for a better quality

of life in contrast feelings of

nationalism are based on a belief that

one's country

is superior to all others it can often

carry the connotation of distrust or

disapproval of other countries

leading to the assumption that other

countries are rivals nationalism tends

to find itself modified by movements of

political interest

one outlook by sidney j harris says the

difference between patriotism and

nationalism

is the patriot is proud of his country

for what it does and the nationalist is

proud of his country no matter what it

does

so how do we use patriotism and

nationalism today

when using these words it's important to

keep context and connotation

in mind patriotism generally has a

positive connotation

it's used for various positive

sentiments attitudes and actions

involving loving one's country

and serving the greater good of all its

people where nationalism generally has a

negative connotation

it's used for political ideologies and

movements that have a more extreme and

exclusionary love of one's country

at the expense of foreigners immigrants

and even people in a country

who aren't believed to belong in some

way often on racial and religious

grounds

right now you might be thinking

nationalism just sounds like it's always

bad

so is that true is nationalism always

bad

according to some people not always

nationalism has its uses

as a very strong motivator for uniting

people together in the struggle against

injustice

it has driven independence movements

like the zionist movement that created

modern israel

some political analysts feel that the

peace in the middle east

can only be achieved through a strong

national identity

of the countries involved as opposed to

the current tribal

and religious identities that divide

them embracing national identities

over religion may make it easier to

negotiate through national

amenable laws rather than ambiguous

religious laws

did you enjoy this video comparing

patriotism and nationalism

hopefully it gave you a good

introduction of the similarities and

differences between the two

please like and share the video

subscribe to illustrate to educate

and comment on your thoughts about

patriotism and nationalism

and don't forget to check out some of my

other videos to the right