Patriotism vs. nationalism

Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues.
The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, "the greatest", but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is.
- Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986)
as quoted on Child of Illusion
and on my political blog

1 kommentar:

Nixon is Lord sa...

How do you know what a country's virtues and vices are? Isn't that what makes countries different; they disagree on what virtues and vices are.
This could be anything, as could "good". Who gets to decide?