How Do We Square States Rights with Present-Day Patriotism

Patriotism is often used as a false litmus test by lazy political opponents. Conceding that still doesn’t dilute the word of it’s meaning, however.

We need to look beyond the US’s partisan atmosphere to a sample size of every country on the planet (roughly 200) and see that countries have different centrifugal forces and centripetal forces that enhance national unity. Part of this is the country’s origin story and national myths.

The challenge each country faces to create patriotism and to justify its existence is that not all of them have great origin myths. Canada basically never broke up with England. I did a study abroad to Mexico and much of that country’s history consisted of murdered presidents and dictators and ousters. They had a revolution from Spain and the two leaders in charge fought a war with each other for power pretty immediately afterwards. Imagine if the Civil War happened five years after the Revolutionary War, would we be feeling like the Revolutionary War was as big of a deal? that’s why their national mythology centers around Cinco de Mayo.

My point is that all countries have to create some type of national symbolism, however ridiculous it sounds or looks. Patriotism in some form is a necessity. It’s not a lie or a truth, it’s simply a minimal attempt at establishing a…