I’ll Take Patriotism For The Win

The crucial difference between Patriotism and Nationalism

by Gary Kroeger

August 8, 2026

“Nationalism is patriotism for those who didn’t finish their homework.”

That’s my statement to say something softer than what I really mean. Here are some more critical statements about the difference between nationalism and patriotism:

“Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism.” -French President Emmanuel Macron

George Orwell wrote: “Nationalism is power hunger tempered by self-deception.”

Charlies de Gaul distinguished the two by saying, “Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.”

American journalist, Sydney J. Harris, highlighted the blind, uncritical nature of nationalism: “The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does.”

Pretty damning statements about nationalism. Yet, I do want to soften the blow by finding a common thread and distinguishing the meaning of each as it relates to current understandings and debates. To be clear, what President Trump and Republicans are calling for, particularly with respect to our flag, the Pledge of Allegiance and standing during the National Anthem, is not “patriotism” but “nationalism.” Both are concerned with individual relationships towards nations, but nationalism is defined as our interest in the unification of a nation based on cultural and linguistic equanimity.

Patriotism is experienced as our love for our nation’s values and beliefs.

For years now there has been controversy around athletes taking a knee as a form of protest during our National Anthem. A paradoxical situation immediately developed. Standing for the national anthem should be an expression of upholding our national values since it is, essentially, a pledge to recognize America as the “land of the free.” As is our Pledge of Allegiance (to the flag) which commits us to “liberty and justice for all.” Those are America’s values and to support them is patriotic.

However, to protest the National Anthem or America’s symbol (the flag), does not necessarily debase those values. As an expression of our First Amendment, protest can be a patriotic premise to scrutinize (or criticize) our commitment to those values. While nationalism can hold us together, it cannot supplant our value of freedom and justice. Forced nationalism is, in fact, contrary to true patriotism.

If a minority race in America is being profiled, and if there is evidence that such profiling is leading to being killed for an offense (or alleged offense) for which a white person would likely be released or incarcerated at worst (and not killed), then the pledge to American values becomes false to those subjected to such systemic racism. And it cannot be unfathomable that at some point a Black person (as was the case of Colin Kaepernick) will not be willing to participate in a cultural tradition that celebrates a different reality.

The other part of this controversial equation is respect for military sacrifice. Our military is essential to securing our premise of liberty and justice.  They will always deserve our honor and respect. The ceremonial pageantry of honoring the military at sporting events became a cultural tradition after 9/11 when we, as a nation, needed to be in touch with our strength and the spirit of nationalism was an essential bond.  But that fusion of the equanimity of nationalism and patriotic values came at a cost; that being a necessary evaluation of the character of America today and our commitment to freedom and justice.

The latter cannot be ignored, swept under the carpet, or absorbed by a ceremony; it must remain a relevant and vigilant pursuit. The freedom to protest, along with Constitutional respect and transparent democracy, is what holds our preeminent values to the light and in the highest regard. That is what men and women have died to protect. What they didn’t put themselves in harm’s way for was to defend pageantry; they sacrificed their lives, or were willing to, for the principles that forward our most sacred values.

Personally, I continue to stand for our National Anthem. Just as I fly the flag even in the midst of controversy concerning America’s commitment to its values; I am stating my relationship to those values.

But….if you don’t fly the flag or you don’t stand for the Star Spangled Banner , that doesn’t mean you are dishonoring America or the brave men and women who have fought for her. You may be challenging the systemic injustice that betrays their honor and sacrifice. You may be casting light upon our citizenry who do not hold freedom, liberty and justice in the highest regard, and the systemic malfunction of a status quo blinding itself with nationalism that can compromise our patriotic values.

The difference between nationalism and patriotism is a crucial understanding. We may have different ways of expressing these points of view, but it’s essential that we know what we are saying. That is also an American value.

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