The outsider perspective is from someone who doesn’t share the sentiment being described. Here are some outsider perspectives on the meaning of patriotism, all examples care of Quora:
People call themselves patriots if they wave their country flag and denounce others if they don’t.
Patriots have done terrible things. Hitler, who is responsible for millions of deaths, was a patriot. Stalin, who is responsible for millions of deaths, was a patriot.
Patriot word is used as an excuse for poor behavior
Understand that applying the word “Patriot” to a person is placing this person in a highly regarded group without any clear parameters to make them look better.
If someone is calling themselves a patriot, beware. This person is likely up to no good.
Patriotism is the belief that one’s set of values, skills and customs is superior from the rest, thus anything is justified in the task of protecting them against any kind of change or intrusion. In order to believ this, a few things are needed:
Provincialism: The experience of the subject must be limited to their region/country. Exposition to other cultures must be reduced as much as possible, and when can’t be avoided, must be done in the most aseptic way
Historical illiteracy: Patriotism always is based in a set of myths about the country, designed to build a National narrative of superiority.
Lack of empathy: empathy is completely antagonistic towards patriotism, since it forces to acknowledge other human beings as valid interlopers, instead of aliens and attackers.
[Plus…insecurity…limited understanding of social dynamics, and anti-intellectualism.]
And here are some insider perspectives on patriotism - that is, from people who consider themselves patriots:
Freedom: We have the freedom to do what we want, believe in what we want, and say what we want and to do so without persecution.
Diversity: We are a melting pot. Every nation, race and color is represented in America. The diversity of every man, woman, and child is what makes our country strong.
Opportunity: This is the land of opportunity. If you work hard enough, and persevere through failures and setbacks, you can still achieve success in the United States.
Volunteerism: People in the United States love to help. Whether it’s around the globe or next door when people are in need, the people of American help.
Beauty: Have you looked outside lately? Have you driven across our wide-open country? It’s beautiful.
— from 5 Reasons We Love America/First Light Home Care
I love America because she always sends aid to countries in need. If a country has experienced a crisis, be it a natural disaster, a terrorist attack or some other crisis, America is always there to help.
I love America because she gives opportunity for innovation, invention and expansion in every field of study and in every industry.
I love America because she is always one o the most generous countries in the world.
— Why I Love America/The Liberty Belle
Historically flawed? Sure. What country isn’t? But I love America! I can forgive America’s missteps and failures because I love America. Not sweep them under the rug but forgive and do my part to keep us from failing again. I love America for many reasons. Here are a few.
America has the capacity to learn, correct course, and we continue to change.
America is generous. ..Private American initiatives and Christian NGOs are in developing nations by the thousands.
America is exceptional. That simply means that statistically, we are the exception, not the rule. America is 4% of the world’s population, yet every year we produce more technology, medical cures, scientific discoveries…etc.
— Why should we all truly love America/Alex McFarland
I am patriotic in the sense that I want to bring about change that positively impacts U.S. citizens and makes the country what it was intended to be.
— Why I’m a Patriot/Tiger Newspaper:
Comments
My distinction between insider and outsider perspectives comes from 20th century anthropology, which used the terms emic and etic to make the same distinction.
Essentially, if you want to know what people “mean” by something, ask them. You might be surprised by what they say.
What I’ve learned from reading about patriotism in America is that emic and etic descriptions tend to be worlds apart.