Some people say patriotism causes problems and is negative overall. Others feel that it is beneficial for society at large. Do the advantages of patriotism outweigh its disadvantages?
Benefits of taking pride in national affiliation
People work with dedication for their nation, some of them go to the extent of serving without asking anything in return
They join defense forces out of love for their nation and serve selflessly
They respond to emergencies and catastrophes cohesively
They are able to perpetuate their culture in every form, successfully
It becomes easy to maintain law and order in the country as everyone complies with the laws
They pay taxes, contribute to innovation and reciprocate to society for whatever support they receive
Drawbacks of nationalism
This can create conflicts between nations: sometimes even during sporting events
It is highly against the concept of global identity as it hinders integration of global cultures
Unscrupulous leaders can create narratives and peddle them to fan nationalist feelings and push a country into war, or at least create tensions among nations
Taking pride in national affiliations as generally being regarded as laden with umpteen benefits. Although this is true to a great extent, there are certain legitimate concerns over the failings of this phenomenon.
Patriotic feelings can result in uncountable tangible advantages. This natural impulse motivates citizens to devote themselves to work dedicatedly for the common good. It is observed that people hailing from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds join hands to form a synergy and contribute to the progress of the nation while working in their respective occupations. Besides this, individuals are inspired to comply with the laws and norms of the land, helping establish a conducive social environment that sans anarchy and crime.
Similarly, it has also been observed that a society populated by patriotic inhabitants emerged as a strong nation that is equipped with the strong military as the government does not have to lure people by offering special facilities. The young populace is wedded to the aspiration of defending the country at all costs, and thus stays prepared to even face hardships, or death.
However, nationalism has certain serious flaws: reverence for the nation has been a source of several conflicts and wars. History has been witness to this fact, wherein sumptuous blood has been shed in the name of fighting for national pride. For instance, both the great wars were fought due to clash of national sentiments. Moreover, this feeling goes against the very ethos of globalization and prevents cultural, social and political integration of the global society, as it fuels tribal attitudes.
To conclude, even though patriotism does seem to be an attractive notion, the impediments it presents in the path of establishing global peace is a matter of serious concern and clearly exceed the pros of this sentiment
