Patriotism Can Be Salvaged Through Critical Engagement Rather Than Abandonment
Source: Arthur Krystal. "How Problematic Is Patriotism? | The New Yorker." May 25, 2026. www.newyorker.com
The Gist
The author argues that while American patriotism is at a low point due to legitimate concerns about injustice and government failures, we shouldn't abandon the concept entirely. Instead, we can salvage patriotism by distinguishing it from aggressive nationalism and embracing a more thoughtful version that acknowledges both America's ideals and its serious flaws.
Conclusion
Despite America's flaws and declining national pride, patriotism is worth preserving if we can distinguish it from nationalism and embrace a form that acknowledges both the country's ideals and its failures
Premises
- Patriotism differs fundamentally from nationalism - patriotism is devotion to place and way of life without forcing it on others, while nationalism seeks power and dominance
- American patriotism has always been 'spasmodic' with ups and downs throughout history, suggesting current decline is not unprecedented or permanent
- The current crisis in patriotism stems from legitimate grievances (racial injustice, government lies about Vietnam, Trump era polarization) that expose real problems rather than invalidate the concept entirely
- Historical perspective shows that even the Founding Fathers had to manufacture patriotism for a country that didn't yet exist, proving patriotism can be consciously cultivated
- Wokeness has rightfully exposed injustices but has also made patriotism 'uncool' on the left, while the right has co-opted patriotic symbols in ways that alienate moderates
- The question isn't whether to love America unconditionally, but whether one can be patriotic while acknowledging the country's flaws - being 'glad that it exists' rather than loving it blindly
Assumptions
- Patriotism and nationalism are meaningfully distinct concepts that can be separated in practice
- National identity and pride serve important psychological and social functions worth preserving
- Critical engagement with a country's history and flaws is compatible with patriotic feeling
- The current political polarization around patriotism is temporary and can be overcome
- There exists a 'quiet' form of patriotism that transcends partisan political symbols