American patriotism Quote by Eric Hobsbawm
“It seems that American patriotism measures itself against an outcast group. The right Americans are the right Americans because they're not like the wrong Americans, who are not really Americans.”
About This Quote
American patriotism often defines itself by excluding those deemed “un‑American,” creating an us‑vs‑them dynamic.
In simple terms: Patriotism can be exclusionary.
Key Takeaway
Promote inclusive national identity.
Themes
nationalism
identity
exclusion
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public debates
- education curricula
- community events
- media analysis
Key Concepts
social identity theory
political rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- How does exclusion affect national unity?
- What inclusive symbols can unite diverse groups?
A Different Perspective
Risk of alienating minorities.
![“He[Napoleon] had destroyed only one thing: the Jacobin Revolution, the dream of equality, liberty and fraternity, and of the people rising in its majesty to shake off oppression. It was a more powerful myth than his, for after his fall it was this, and not his memory, which inspired the…” quote by Eric Hobsbawm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dfd/eric-hobsbawm-20660_century_he-napoleon-had-destroyed-only-one-thing_1313226.jpg)
