pa·tri·ot·ism (p?'tr?-?-t?z'?m) 
n.Love of and devotion to one's country.
and at WordNet asn.Love of and devotion to one's country.
The noun patriotism has one meaning:
But I believe that the more important definition comes from thepatriotism n.
Combustible rubbish read to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.
In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first.
Combustible rubbish read to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.
In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first.
I have never understood the great regard seemingly given to patriotism. What is the great virtue in loving your country? Either your country is acting (as much as a country is an entity that can act) in a manner worthy of your 'love' and support or it is not. Naturally you would 'love' and support actions that are worthy of your 'love' and support so there is no virtue there and surely 'loving' and supporting actions that are not worthy of 'love' and support is not virtuous.
In other words, love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it is a 'no brainer' when you country is doing good for you and down right stupid when it isn't. There is no virtue in patriotism.
"Patriotism" as it generally understood is, like 'faith', part of the problem not part of the solution.
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