Are people more patriotic when their country is at war?

Question

Are people more patriotic when their country is at war?

Answer 1

So it would seem:

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Parent...

Answer 2

I think technically my country is at war with Afghanistan or something, but it really only makes me cringe more.

Answer 3

yes the people will let the government get away with much more when the country is at war. its in 1984 aswell

Answer 4

Unfortunatley it appears that in the uk a great number of people are a lot more patriotic when their team is playing football, it's a pity that governments worldwide won't settle a disagreement with a football match. Whoops ! I bet nobody ever asked them?

Answer 5

if its an unpopular war, no. just like the one we are in now. nothing has really changed except the fall of a dictator. the only reason we are still there is our government refuses to admit they are wrong. those countries have been at war forever and will probably continue to be no matter what we do. we learned nothing from vietnam.

Answer 6

I have found that the American people are extremely patriotic during war, when their side is winning.

Let the war go on longer than expected, or show them the reality side of war (body bags), and their attitude quickly turns to anti war demonstrations, etc.

This profile fits most if not all liberals and liberal democrats.  The Republicans seem to have more staying power and understanding of the reasons for war.

Winston Churchill probably explained this best when he said; "When you're twenty years old and are not a liberal, you have no heart !"  "When you're forty years old and not a conservative, you have no brain !"

Answer 7

In america yes, in Britain it is quite the opposite.

Answer 8

after 9/11 people were patriotic and united, but it didn't last long and now they have forgotten that we are at war.

it is a different kind of enemy without a specific country and we have lost our will and according to Osama, this is why we will lose, we have neither the stomach or patients for war anymore...hey these are his words, not mine.

Answer 9

Are you talking about the thinking or non-thinking people?

Depends on the war.

Our armed forces do what is asked of them (despite the penny pinching) - so patriotic may be not but proud of my fellow country men & women who might give their lives so I can type this!

our idiot politicans ideas on foriegn policy is a differnet conversation.

Answer 10

No, they're just more vocal ... and less tolerant of those that disagree with the war.

Answer 11

Revolution, yes----

1812, yes-----

Civil War, extremely on both sides---

Spanish War, yes--

WWI, mixed,

WWII,yes-- very much so

Korea some yes/some no----

Viet Nam,no----

Panama, yes-----

Grenada---yes

Answer 12

Are they?  No

Should they be?  Yes

Answer 13

If by war you mean deep war as WW1 and WW2 when the whole economy is geared up to the cause... definitely yes.

Answer 14

Yes but technically we are not at war. Where is the declaration?

Answer 15

Not necesarily. Look at my other question to hear my answer.

Answer 16

If you believe in the false patriotism of 'supporting' the war by putting a yellow 'support the troops' magnet (made in Communist China by slave labor) on your 8 soldiers per gallon SUV, then yes people are more 'patriotic.'

Answer 17

Usually yes.  

If they're not, then they will lose the war very quickly.

The difference is in how you define "war".  If you consider yourself at war only when you are being attacked personally, then any kind of pre-emptive fighting somewhere else wouldn't trigger any patriotic instincts.

Answer 18

It's not patriotism, it's nationalism.  People tend to get those things confused, conservatives especially.

But do you think for a second that Bush would have had a chance in h**l of getting a second term if not for the invasion of Iraq?

Answer 19

You can bet your sweet life they are.

Answer 20

No. War brings out the Best and Worst in humans. Iraqis are killing Iraqis in Iraq. We invaded Iraq. Princess Diana was a Peace Lover and saved countless lives with her campaign to remove land mines. Her son Harry is not only laying down mines but trying to kill people in their country. Who is the most Patriotic. Harry is silly if he does not realise that he is putting the Royals down as legit targets now. A Royal death caused the Great War. Let them work for Peace now.