Nation, that absurd political idea that has, is, and causing so many problems for mankind, ever since it’s inception along with the growth of the civilizations.
Why do I call the idea of nation and nationality absurd? Well, the reasons are fairly simple. It is primarily an idea that was used to by the noblesse to capture and retain their power and wealth. Nations and nationality are at any level just a political idea and holds no other higher meaning. And, nationality does not mean that you have to dislike (nor hate) other countries.
Patriotism and nationality are being increasingly cited as reasons by governments across the world to extend support to their citizen(s), even though the person(s) may indeed be guilty. These are also increasingly being cited as reasons by people to oppose the ideas that other countries put forth and in most cases to look down upon other countries.
Mankind has spilled blood over this idea. I can understand if you are fighting over an area rich in natural resources. But mankind has spilled blood even over areas that are inhospitable and lack any kind of natural resources. Areas that only hold symbolic meaning and sometimes areas that are actually a loss are also defended. Why? Because there is a perception of difference of opinion.
All the differences of opinions among the 200 odd countries in the world evaporate if you take away the idea of nationality. In what way is a person from the continent of America any different from a person from the Asian continent? There is no difference.
Why shouldn’t an individual born in one country feel that his nationality is more that of another country? After all nations and nationality are just political ideas. But such an individual would be called unpatriotic.
And what is Patriotism anyway? Patriotism is an idea. It means not only to stand up for and stand by a country but more importantly for the ideas and principles behind that country. This is the true meaning of the word Patriotism.
Why have I stressed on the word country in the definition?
It is because; there is a difference between the “government of a country” and “country.” Many people have been misled to think that “government of a country” and “country” are the same. The first duty of a patriot is not the government of their country, not even towards his/her country but to the ideas and principles behind his/her country. A person truly becomes a patriot only if he/she is loyal to the the ideas and principles behind their country.
Also, patriotism does not mean and never meant that whatever your country does is correct and that whatever other countries do is wrong.
Just because, you were born in a country doesn’t mean that you have to feel patriotic towards it or have to identify yourself with the nationality of that country. Respect the country you were born in, if and only if it truly deserves it.
But if there is any other country that you can identify yourself with, go ahead and identify yourself by that country. And if you feel patriotic towards a country other than in which you were not born in, you are not unpatriotic.
2 comments:
Reading the first para of the post, i was ready to give a nasty commment. But on reading the full post, i do strongly agree with your views. I like the words "Just because you are patriotic doesn't mean that whatever things your country does is right", well said.
Patriotism is truly the respect for the people, cultre, and heritage of a country and not its goverment.
Well written Hari! Waiting to see more such posts.
But one thing! Please follow the inverse pyramid structure while writing posts(I.e the most important things should be mentioned in the first para, the other paras should just elaborate it or complement it.)
yes, patriotism is nothing but a sense of belonging at a very basic level. But using it as an excuse for inading the neighborhood is ugly. But Indians are different. For us its a matter of convenience. Don't we appreciate those third generation Indians in some part of the world who walk in space and buy steel factories (we refer to them in a comfortable 'we')but farmers who commit suicide in Andhra and mobs in Mumbai aren't (dont we say 'they' when it suits us).
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