Thursday, February 14, 2008
James Morris-Lent
"Patriotism meens supporting your government during times of war."I strongly disagree with this statement. Patriotism refers not to a loyalty to one's government, but a loyalty to one's state. If the government enters the state into a damaging war, it is the citizens' responsibility to oppose the war, since it hurts the state. If a war is beneficial to the state, then it can be considered patriotic to support the war, regardless of any moral or ethical failing.To use a contemporary example, many people support the United States' war in Iraq, and many do not. However, citizens on either side can be described as patriotic - whether or not they support the war - as long as their stand is based on what they feel is best for our state. Patriotism is not based on supporting or opposing the war due to feelings towards the government. The government merely works for the state. Patriotism considers the state before the current government.
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My views regarding this statement (and all the other statements) have not changed. Patriotism is a love for your country and not an unquestioning support of your government. The Inner-Party in Oceania has forcibly made patriotism into an unwavering support for the Party, while also enforcing a lack of it as a crime. But that is not our world, where patriotism is simply supporting your country.
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