How People View Patriotism: The Evidences from Cross-National Surveys

This chapter demonstrates how cross-national surveys can be used to examine how lay people view patriotism across countries. Using data from four cross-national surveys across dozens of countries, it evinces levels of national pride and the contexts in which these are higher, namely, in countries whose citizens are worse off. In societies that form part of the globalized community, enjoy more income equality, and are not subject to the threat of terror or external conflict, national pride levels appear to be lower. Analyzing public views of patriotism, it seems that it is viewed more positively than negatively in nearly all the countries. Majorities, nonetheless, held more positive views of patriotism than minorities. The majority/minority variation was directly associated with inclusive policies, minorities in more exclusive countries tending to view patriotism more negatively than those in more inclusive countries. The benefits of using cross-national surveys to discuss patriotism must be viewed in the light of their inherent limitations. These are thus also identified and explained.