What is the difference between nationalism and patriotism?

Question

I looked it up on dictionary.com but they both say loyalty to ones country so is there a difference?

Answer 1

Let me try to answer it in a different way.  Imagine you are from Virginia (USA) and someone asked you in 1750 what are you?  You might answer "I am Virginian."  Then let's say someone asks you what are you 20 years later.  If you say, "I am an American, " then that would show that you have nationalist feelings.  Nationalism is identifying yourself with the whole country, not just your region.  Imagine when Romans started calling themselves Italians.

Patriotism is crying when you sing the national anthem.

Answer 2

It's been said that nationalism is to patriotism as theology is to religion.  I don't know how well the analogy works, really, but that might help give you some idea.

Answer 3

Patriotism is closely associated with nationalism, and the terms are often used synonymously. Strictly speaking, nationalism is an ideology - but it often promotes patriotic attitudes as desirable and appropriate. (Both nationalist political movements, and patriotic expression, may, yet need not, be negative towards other people's 'fatherland').

Nationalism is a term referring to a doctrine or political movement which holds that a nation, usually defined in terms of ethnicity or culture, has the right to constitute an independent or autonomous political community based on a shared history and common destiny.

Patriotism denotes positive and supportive attitudes to a 'fatherland' (Latin patria < Greek patris, πατρίς), by individuals and groups. The 'fatherland' (or 'motherland') can be a region or a city, but patriotism usually applies to a nation and/or a nation-state. Patriotism covers such attitudes as: pride in its achievements and culture, the desire to preserve its character and the basis of the culture, and identification with other members of the nation.

Patriotism has ethical connotations: it implies that the 'fatherland' (however defined) is a moral standard or moral value in itself. The expression my country right or wrong—perhaps a misquotation of the American naval officer Stephen Decatur, but also attributed to Carl Schurz—is the extreme form of this belief. Patriotism also implies that the individual should place the interests of the nation above their personal and group interests. In wartime, the sacrifice may extend to their own life. Death in battle for the fatherland is the archetype of extreme patriotism.

Answer 4

yes someone who desplays nationalism is like a martyr to their country they will go out and do anything to help their country even if it means their death.

a person who displays patriotism is someone who just flys the flag outside their house and respects his or her country but is not super loyal to ones country.

Answer 5

you mean there's a difference?

Answer 6

A patriot loves their country, a nationalist hates other countries.

Answer 7

nationalism is a loyalty to ones country, ie: the political governing body, laws, borders language and culture.  

Patriotism refers to where u live, with much the same attachment, but the emphasis on physical location.

Ex. 1  George Washington was a British National, and an American patriot at the same time.  He rejected his British citizenship, and after the forming of our republic, became an U.S. nationalist

Ex. 2  Any one who is born in the USA, is a citizen...if they move to another country , like Israel, they are an expatriot, tho they may be very much an American nationalist because they are still loyal to the USA, they just dont physically live here.  If they move back, they have been "repatriated", which means they are dwelling physcally back

within their countries borders.  patriot=lives there, nationalist=loves their nation, hope this helps,  mike r

Answer 8

For me both are the same. And equally bad. Cause of hatred, greed and wars. Both are evils.