Have a Patriotic Independence Day
Two hundred and thirty-one years have passed since a bunch of rabble-rousing troublemakers declared the independence of 13 American colonies from their mother country. Much has changed in that time, and it’s all too easy for us to regard Independence Day as just another expression of neocon nationalism run wild. And. as far as national “celebrations” are concerned, it probably is.
But, as bad as things are, let’s not forget the important distinction between nationalism and patriotism that historian John Lukacs has taken such pains to recall. Unlike our libertarian friends, who all too often lump one in with the other, we paleocons ought to insist that patriotism is the love of a particular place and the people therein, while nationalism is a commitment to a people abstracted from their history and place. The first, properly understood, is Christian; the latter belongs to the revolutionary age that began with the French Revolution.
The neocons were never patriots (at least, not American patriots), which is why they can prattle on about spreading “the American values of freedom and democracy” around the world, as if the Founding Fathers who fought for our independence were not fighting for their homes and families, but for Platonic ideals. We, however, are (or should be) patriots, committed to the very real places we live and people we live with. The only true alternative to nationalism, in fact, is patriotism; if we renounce our patriotic devotion to our country, what possible ground do we have to stand on to oppose neoconservative nationalist aggression?
So tonight, don’t take part in the nationalist celebration that will light up your television screen. Instead, walk down to the local park with your family, and watch the local fireworks. (Try to stay away from the “musical accompaniment,” which will, of course, be nationalist.) Talk to your neighbors; have a few laughs. Remember what it was once like to be free, to be an American, before the empire came--and what it may be once again, when this empire, like all empires, passes into the dustbin of history, and these nationalists, like all nationalists, destroy themselves.
Nationalism | Patriotism
Comments
Two hundred thirty-one have passed, not 131.
Click to flag this comment as abusive
Indeed. Fixed.
How have you been, Richard? It’s been a while since we at Chronicles have heard from you.
Click to flag this comment as abusive
Thanks for the important distinction.
I must admit though, that I do fly the Stars & Bars most everyday and love Elvis’ America the Beautiful. Okay in full disclosure a few Johnny Horton songs too.
We need more local music and traditions. I guess too I have learned there is nothing more patriotic than taking my little one over to the local ballfield, having a hotdog and talking with the people that are concerned with my community.
Thanks
Click to flag this comment as abusive
Scott,
Come back from the ledge. Songs like “God Bless America” or the
“Star Spangled Banner” are fine celebrations of our
country. You run the risk of entering the joyless realm of the ideologue to suggedt otherwise. C
Click to flag this comment as abusive
Funny--it was precisely the joyless realm of the ideologue, whether nationalist or libertarian, that I was warning against.
Click to flag this comment as abusive
The task of rescuing patriotism from scoundrels is
an Eternal one. But, deconstructing our national
anthem for imperialism within it’s text, or
implying something unhealthy about love for one’s
country are not pursuits worthy of you.
I say this only because I really enjoy your writing.
Click to flag this comment as abusive
Nice blog. Great post. I’m sorta leftish and yet I agree with most of what I’ve read so far.
I totally relate to you’re def of patriotism. I live in a small city just south of Atlanta. It’s only been in the last few years that we’ve attracted new development and now have restaurants and retail. I always try to keep my money in the hood when possible because I love the ole neglected southside and I feel it’s my patriotic duty to support business here.
Look forward to reading more.
Click to flag this comment as abusive
Kevin--I’m afraid I’m confused. Where did I ever say anything about the national anthem or imply “something unhealthy about love for one’s country”?
In fact, I defended love for one’s country--that’s right there in the definition of patriotism that I laid out.
As for the nationalism of the “musical accompaniment” at fireworks shows, have you ever listened closely? It’s not simply historical songs such as the national anthem, but a whole slew of recent songs (often, sadly, country music, of which I’m usually fond) that have nothing to do with patriotism and the history of our country but things such as “We’ll put a boot up your ass; it’s the American way.”
Truly patriotic celebrations shouldn’t be sulled with such trash.
Click to flag this comment as abusive
Scott,
I guess I’m lucky. My local fireworks show in Central New Jersey offers only the traditional tunes and lots of Sousa. Not the yahoo stuff you’re talking about, no renditions of Lennon’s “Imagine”, nor any vulgar uses of the flag.
Truly sad if some parts of the country are determined to put the ugly into American. And since I now understand your point, my fear was misplaced and I’m happy to be in agreement.
Click to flag this comment as abusive
Just for the record, the Toby Keith song about putting a boot up the arse of our enemies was written about Afghanistan --which did harbor our enemies, and was a legitimate object of attack. Keith came out early against the Iraq war, and should not be considered a jingoist. My girlfriend, a Texas gal who loves Toby Keith AND Antiwar.com, insists upon this point.
Click to flag this comment as abusive
John, your girlfriend’s right about when the song was written, and about Keith’s current stand on the Iraq war, but he didn’t oppose it from the beginning, and the song was widely played on country radio in the run-up to the Iraq war. And today, of course, it has been completely abstracted from its historical context and become just another jingoistic country song. (Don’t get me wrong--I’ve actually been a fan of jingoistic country songs over the years, such as Charlie Daniel’s “Never Did Think (In America)” or the song whose title and singer I can’t recall, back in 1980, which began “Dear Mr. Ayatollah, I know you think we’re yella...")
Beyond that, though, any Catholic who believes in the Church’s just-war theory (as you and I both do) can’t help but have some discomfort concerning Keith’s lyrics, even as applied to Afghanistan.
Click to flag this comment as abusive
Post a Comment
By submitting this form, you give Taki's Magazine permission to publish this comment. Comments will be published at our discretion, and may be edited for clarity and length. Personal attacks, ethnic slurs, the riding of hobby horses and the beating of dead ones will be deleted as soon as they are detected by our small but alert staff. Repeat abusers of this policy will be barred from leaving comments. All comments reflect only the views of those posting them and not necessarily those of this website, its editors, or authors. For best formatting, please limit your response to one paragraph and don't hit "enter" to force line breaks.
Commenting is not available in this section entry.