It is not what it is

K.J. / 1
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-we-think-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 aware of because it has been in front of our
very eyes all the time.
I realised that all politicians from 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 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.

K.J. / 2
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.
I noticed something which I read many times before but
never paid attention to 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

K.J. / 3
culture, language, race, religion, political goals and/or
belief in a common ancestry. Nationalism can be positive
or negative. He also 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 of 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. 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

K.J. / 4
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 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 because it is
unhealthy.
Besides linguistic nuances, I also realised what are real
consequences of the frequent use of patriotism by
politicians. Because an absence of clear measurement
provides patriotism with the capacity to transform to
nationalism with its grey nature and then further to
chauvinism.
Since patriotism is exclusive, I would also assume that
the same “nicely looking” word is the reason for a rise of
racism. It explains why we witness so much of negativity
in our daily life.

K.J. / 5
Definition of patriotism contains elements of fake
attachment. What does it mean, love to one’s country and
national loyalty? 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?
In contrast to patriotis, love is inclusive. A person could
be in love with someone, but at the same time, he or she
would also love parents, siblings, children, friends, and
other people.
Definition of love also does not create 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 which
may lead to hpstility.
I concluded that patriotism indirectly prohibits us from
seeing a beauty of other cultures or other people. It might
be responsible for a growing number of individuals who
would disrespect others just because of a different colour
of skin.
Patriotism serves as a foundation for citizens to agree
with their leaders even if they are wrong. It teach people
that they shall reject reasonable solution from another

K.J. / 6
country just because it was proposed by their own
government.
It naturally builds a mentality whereby it is normal to think
that whoever is not our co-citizens are our enemies.
Moreover, patriotism powerful tool which assists
ignorant and arrogant people to come to power. By
providing such assistance, patriotism has a potential to
eliminate freedom of expression.

It is not what it is

More Related Content

Viewers also liked

Recently uploaded

It is not what it is