March, 2008

Patriot Games

by Chandran Kukathas
The Conversation
March 21st, 2008

Professor Kateb and I seem to be caught up in a game of chicken, each trying to outdo the other in his disdain for patriotism. As an Australian, all I can say is, I think Australians are better anti-patriots than Americans.
The more serious question, however, is what comes first: patriotism or the (warring) state? The [...]

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A Peculiarly Virulent Expression of Self-Love

To Professor Galston
(1) & (2) I’m certainly not going to quarrel with Galston about his love of his son. I emphasized that love of one’s own, when it takes a political form, is “a peculiarly virulent expansion of self-love.” We don’t have to feel guilty about the extended narcissism that Freud saw [...]

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The Patriotism of Enemies and the Health of the War-Spirit

To Professor Berns
I have been trying to suggest that patriotism is a feeling that is at the disposal of all countries, no matter what cause they pursue by means of war. Patriotism cannot be a principle of conduct because it is without any inherent moral commitment. Its most important meaning is that unreserved [...]

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Moderation in Pursuit of Patriotism is No Vice

by William Galston
The Conversation
March 21st, 2008

Kateb’s response to me raises a number of questions. Let me comment on a few.
(1) Kateb notes that constitutional patriotism involves devotion to a particular political order because it is one’s own and “not only” because it is legitimate. That’s true, but what’s wrong with it? My son happens to be [...]

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