Patriotism vs. Nationalism- What’s the Difference?

America is wholly unique among the nations of the world. Conceived as an asylum for oppressed peoples everywhere, George Washington would write “I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.”

America enjoys influence from everywhere:

France helped secure our independence. Our numbers come from India and Baghdad. Our religions are from Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Our languages have mostly Latin and Asian roots. Our arts are from Greece. Our jurisprudence comes from Rome. Our 4th of July fireworks were invented in China. Our calendar comes from the Catholic Church. I hail from Germany and Ireland. My neighbors are from Mexico and Africa. I served in the American military with men and women who came from all points on the compass.

As Jill Lepore says, “To love this particular nation… is to love the world.”

Patriotism and Nationalism: Two Very Different Things-

Rarely in the history of the United States have two words that are so contradictory today, been used so interchangeably in the past.

In fact, patriotism is the older of the two words, dating back to the mid-17th century. Its first use was recorded in 1653: