I think that during WWII Britian and France fought against an attacker that threatened to impose a very different way of life on every country it conquered. I think, during that time, Britian was fighting for their way of life, and democracy throughout the world in its collaboration with the US. Certain historical models tell us that Britian broke diplomatic ties with Germany after their invasion of Czechoslovakia, others link it to the earlier atrocities in Poland. But at some point, Britian understood that all of Europe was at risk, and their way of life threatened. The call to defend this and mobilize people to war to defend their country seemed more obvious then.
But I don't think that Patriotism is only felt in times of war or conflict. Becoming active in community to create a better life for your family and children is the basis of grass roots community development and politics. I see this as a deeply felt and active patriotism: caring and giving to community to improve the lives of those around you. If you believe in the principles of your country and community and participate in a way that supports them, you are a patriot. On Feb 18, 9:51 am, Ian Pollard <[email protected]> wrote: > Molly, > > I'm not seeing fighting for one's "way of life", or actual life, as being > related to patriotism. Maybe that's my fault, but I'm totally not getting > it. > > The British way of life is not so different from the German, French, and > Italian way of life. They're all equally as important, however if some > attack was directed at Britain it would have the added weight of being more > local and thus more inconvenient to me. In fighting to protect this way of > life, what I feel is not patriotism; or I don't believe it is. Surely it's > more to do with something more fundamental and human. > > Ian > > On 18 February 2010 14:00, Molly <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > I suppose it comes into play when you believe that you are fighting > > for your country and its way of life. > > > On Feb 18, 6:18 am, Ian Pollard <[email protected]> wrote: > > > What the heck does fighting against your death/annihilation have to do > > with > > > a man-made construct like "patriotism"? > > > > Ian > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > ""Minds Eye"" group. > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > [email protected]<minds-eye%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com> > > . > > For more options, visit this group at > >http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en.- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en.
