It is not what it is

BY KAKAJAN HAYTLYYEV

I have never bothered to understand why such word as “patriotism” can

be interpreted by different people differently. Somehow, it didn't trigger

even a slight interest to get more clarity on whether my interpretation of

this word as something positive is correct. But one day I noticed

something which I always knew. It was one of these weird life situations

when we have a eureka moment regarding something which we have

always been well aware of because it has been in front of our very eyes

all the time.

I realised that all politicians from each and every country would mention

a few times the word “patriotism” in their speech. Perhaps, it would not

be so surprising except for one aspect. These politicians represented the

entire spectrum of the political parties from far-left to far-right. It also

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-we-think-kakajan-haytlyyev

became apparent that “patriotism” is being used with increasing

frequency. I found it controversial that the more politicians would

deliver the patriotic messages, the more people with radical views would

start to surface.

Since forever I was told that the word “patriotism” is nothing but

positive. But the current environment signalled that my understanding of

it was in clear contradiction with the reality. How come it was possible

that such positive term leads to so many negative consequences.

Therefore I decided to do a little bit of research and get to the core of

this issue.

I started with checking dictionaries. One of the most common definitions

of “patriotism” is devoted love, support and defence of one’s country,

national loyalty. Wikipedia specifies that patriotism is also understood

as an attachment to a homeland. This attachment can be viewed in terms

of different features relating to one’s homeland, including ethnic,

cultural, political or historical aspects. This is where I noticed something

which I read many times before but never paid attention to it. Maybe this

is why I never fully understood what is behind it. All dictionaries also

indicate “nationalism” or “chauvinism” are synonyms of “patriotism”.

James Paul, professor of globalisation and cultural diversity at Western

Sydney University identified nationalism as a complex and

multidimensional concept that oriented towards developing and

maintaining a national identity based on shared characteristics such as

culture, language, race, religion, political goals and/or belief in a

common ancestry. Nationalism can be positive or negative. He also

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defined chauvinism as an excess of patriotism or an exaggerated

patriotism and a belligerent belief in national superiority and glory.

Little by little it became clear that patriotism might not be so positive

after all. However, to avoid misinterpretation, I decided to compare it

with another word which all of us would understand only as positive.

Naturally, my choice was the word which carries the ultimate positive

meaning – “love”.

Dictionaries define love as an intense feeling of deep affection, deep

romantic and/or sexual attachment to someone. Synonyms oof love are

fondness, tenderness, warms, intimacy, attachment, endearment,

devotion, adoration, passion, desire, compassion, humanity, friendliness,

kindness, charity and many other words which carry meaning that

cannot be interpreted other than positive.

The basic law of logic tells us that positivity produces a positive

response. Irrespective of a good impression, if any word, idea or

ideology leads to something negative and ugly, it is unlikely that the

core nature of such word, idea or ideology to be positive. It made me

realise that based on correlation with synonyms, we can really tell

whether the word carries a truly positive meaning.

Synonyms of love is a clear indication that this approach is viable.

Because any of its synonyms do not suggest that love is capable of

producing hatred. I assume that some people may argue that obsession

could be interpreted as a synonym of love. I would disagree with it

because the definition of the word “obsession” is an idea or thought that

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continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind. Moreover, its

synonyms are a fixation, infatuation, addiction, fetish, craze, mania and

so on. It shows that obsession cannot be compared to love by definition

because it is unhealthy.

Besides linguistic nuances, I also realised what are real consequences of

the frequent use of patriotism by politicians. Because the word they all

so much in love with has something negative and deeply hidden in its

definition. An absence of clear measurement provides patriotism with

the capacity to transform to nationalism with its grey nature and then

further to chauvinism. I would also assume that the same “nicely

looking” word is the reason for a rise of racism. I believe that it explains

why we witness so much of negativity in our daily life.

If we look closely at how love is defined, it becomes clear that its

definition is inclusive. A person could be in love with someone, but at

the same time, this person would also love his or her parents, siblings,

children, friends and other people. Definition of love also does not

creates conflicting feelings. A person could love the country where he or

she was born but at the same time, this person would love the entire

world. Love does not provide any potential for unwelcome

circumstances.

However, unlike love, the definition of patriotism contains the sort of

fake attachment. What does it actually mean, love to one’s country and

national loyalty? The Law Dictionary stipulates that it is a portion of the

earth’s surface occupied by an independent nation or people; or the

inhabitants of such territory. In its primary meaning “country” signifies

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“place”, and, in a larger sense, the territory or dominions occupied by a

community; or even waste and unpeopled sections of regions of the

earth.

I believe that once you finish reading this definition you would

understand that it might have very little to do with love. Besides, does it

mean that when we cross the border we are not supposed to like the

land? And how would we know that it is not the land that we shall love

if there is no clear demarcation of the border?

Moreover, the definition of patriotism is exclusive. It is divisive by its

nature because it implants in our minds an idea that any decent is

negative. It teaches us that we shall be loyal to our ethnically similar

group of people and since loyalty is not about picking and choosing, it

strongly suggests that we shall be loyal to our ethnic group no matter

what. Therefore, it is natural to ask whether this means that people who

rejected Hitler and the majority which supported were patriotic and

therefore traitors? Does it tell us that whatever our leader are doing we

shall agree with it because otherwise we shall not be qualified as good

people?

Does this widely perceived positive word, prohibits us from seeing a

beauty of other cultures or other people who are from the different

country or even continent? Is it the reason why there are growing

number of individuals who would disrespect other people just because of

a different colour of skin? Is patriotism serves as a foundation for

citizens to agree with their leaders even if they are wrong? Does it teach

people that they shall reject reasonable solution from another country

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just because it was proposed by their own government? Is it naturally

builds a mentality whereby it is normal to think that whoever is not our

co-citizens are our enemies? Is patriotism powerful tool which assists for

clearly ignorant and arrogant people to come to power? Does patriotism

has a potential to eliminate freedom of expression?

I think it has potential to be the reason for all of the above because there

is no a clear measurement to identify when patriotism transforms from

good to something totally ugly. I believe that this inspiring word is the

main reason why we continue to get involved into senseless and endless

military conflicts. I am sure that the true nature of patriotism is not what

we think it is because it cannot be something positive by definition.

“Patriotism is most fervently displayed in times of war and

impending war. Even during times of peace, patriotism is often

expressed in commemorations of war and in ceremonies involving

the military. Is patriotism, then, necessarily warlike? Does

patriotism lust for violence? Or is there an achievable form of

patriotism grounded in respect for humanity in general, and aimed

at achieving peace?”

Simon Keller.

“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”

Samuel Johnson

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It is not what it is