Patriotism in Turbulent and Settled Times

Abstract

Patriotism fosters national cohesion. In turbulent times, such as during social revolutions, wars of liberations, or national catastrophes, patriotic sentiments are interwoven into narratives of violence and self-sacrifice for a nationalistic cause. In settled times, patriotism is channeled towards the task of state-building and anchored on the moral imperative of preserving a heritage won by sacrifice. Therefore, violent contentions and self-sacrifice are central to narratives of patriotism in both turbulent and settled times. To build my argument, I review theories of society and authority from scholars such as Max Weber, David Apter, Immanuel Wallerstein, and Claude Ake; highlighting aspects of social formations and structures of power which predispose individuals to self-sacrifice for group causes. This argument is illustrated by drawing on theories of state formation in the west and in former colonies. I propose the notion of politically useful deaths to highlight a variety of functions which patriotic sentiments play in settled times. This proposition is explicated by the following claims: Politically useful deaths 1) (re)orient citizens’ imaginations towards the state, acting as a reminder of its existence, 2) serve as a social glue which creates, nurtures, or reinforces the bond among citizens, and 3) provide a vent for politically salient sentiments. Self-sacrifice is a civic aspiration which relevant institutions attempt to inculcate in individuals through political socialisation.