Liberal Patriotism

Abstract

Patriotism is often viewed by liberals with suspicion, if not hostility. Patriotic excess presents obvious dangers for a liberal democracy that is committed to individual liberties, the rule of law, and fair treatment of minorities. However, rather than pathologizing a love of country, liberals should endorse a limited form of patriotism. If a love of country can be disciplined by liberal values, it can be harnessed as a force for good. This chapter proposes a model of liberal patriotism, representing both an aspiration and description of what patriotic sentiment involves. Patriotism implicates a certain understanding of identity, morality, and citizenship. Within a liberal political context, patriotism can be understood to be valuable in a number of respects: it aids the maintenance of political stability, it is instrumental to democratic deliberation, and it supports social justice. For it to be considered liberal, though, any patriotism must be proven compatible with the values of freedom and autonomy. Moreover, any persuasive model of liberal patriotism must provide some guidance on multicultural diversity. In order for this to happen, a certain kind of political community must prevail: one in which citizens are prepared to hear and evaluate the claims of minorities, motivated by a sense of common good. Clearly, this involves a patriotism that is defined in terms of a civic culture and identity – crucially, one that is being subject to contest and revision. Contemporary political developments highlight the limits of liberal patriotism. Nonetheless, at a time when nativist and illiberal forms of patriotism gain popularity, a liberal patriotism presents an urgent antidote.