People are proud of their country, region, dialect, language, religion, continent, cultural heritage, sport team, natural beauties, cuisine, historical figures, and military. While this comes natural for Homo sapiens, this article shows how much suffering this has brought. Patriotism is obsolete in every aspect.
My article explains when there is no sensible of genetically improving people’s intelligence in terms of IQ, in a broader sense, or generalizable sense, making them leave the dichotomy us/them or just proper education, patriotism is obsolete.
Patriotism from evolutionary psychology perspective
From an evolutionary psychology perspective, we can understand patriotism as an extension of innate human tendencies to form in-groups and out-groups, behaviors that were crucial for survival in our evolutionary past. Loyalty to one’s group – whether it was a tribe, family, or community- increased the chances of survival by ensuring cooperation, protection, and access to resources. Patriotism is a modern form of this loyalty, binds individuals to their nation, creating a shared identity that fosters social cohesion. Alongside this in-group loyalty, humans have also evolved to be wary of out-groups. That is a trait that historically protected against threats from rival groups.
This can explain why patriotism sometimes manifests as hostility towards other nations or ethnicities, leading to xenophobia or conflict. Additionally, evolutionary psychology suggests that humans are wired to seek status and recognition within their groups. And patriotism offers a way to gain prestige through displays of national pride or participation in national events. Altruism and the willingness to sacrifice for the group, seen in behaviors like military service, also align with evolutionary principles. Individuals act for the collective good, enhancing the survival of their genes. While patriotism can strengthen social bonds and provide a sense of belonging, its evolutionary roots also explain the potential for exclusion and hostility when taken to extremes, reflecting both the positive and negative aspects of this powerful force in human societies.
Pardon me. Nationalism as the 19th-century invention
Back in the centuries, people who lived in the historical Czech lands (Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia) were proud of the kingdom. But those people had been speaking Czech (with all the old dialects that have disappeared), German, Yiddish, Polish, and to some extent Latin.
Those illiterate (and I am sorry, from nowadays’ perspective low IQ individuals) somehow created pride. But they could have coexisted peacefully, they didn’t care about their national affiliations.
Nationalism itself was sporadic in the Czech lands with somehow gaining more power in the 17th century. But that was the end.
Nationalism in the Czech lands emerged as part of a broader trend across Europe in the 19th century. It was influenced by the Enlightenment, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Revolutions of 1848.
The Czech National Revival (Národní obrození) began in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Intellectuals and scholars, such as Josef Dobrovský and Josef Jungmann, sought to revive the Czech language, culture, and history. This cultural movement laid the groundwork for a national consciousness among Czech-speaking people.
But this was the creation of the personal identity of people, no revival, the very emergence.
How come it has happened as late as the 19th century?
Before the 19th century, communication between different regions was limited. The absence of mass media, such as newspapers and books in the vernacular, meant that people had little exposure to the idea of a national identity. Most communication was local, and people were more likely to identify with their immediate surroundings.
Literacy rates were relatively low, and written communication was often in Latin or German, especially in administrative and religious contexts. The Czech language, was spoken widely among the peasantry and lower classes. And it was less prominent in written form, which limited the spread of Czech cultural and national ideas.
The 19th century saw significant industrialization and urbanization in the Czech lands. People moved to cities and began working in factories. And they encountered others who spoke the same language and shared similar cultural backgrounds. This migration helped foster a sense of shared identity and common interests among Czech speakers.
The growth of a Czech-speaking middle class, including merchants, professionals, and intellectuals, provided the social basis for the nationalist movement. This new class was increasingly literate and politically aware. And it sought to assert its cultural and linguistic identity against the dominance of the German-speaking elite.
The Czech lands, like many regions in Central and Eastern Europe, experienced the rise of nationalism later than Western Europe due to different historical circumstances. In Western Europe, nationalism was often linked to the formation of centralized nation-states (like France and England) in the early modern period. In contrast, the Czech lands remained part of a multi-ethnic empire, where national identities were less pronounced.
The extreme evil nationalism brought – gas chambers
Nationalism has been responsible for some of the darkest chapters in human history, leading to unimaginable suffering and atrocities. The Holocaust is perhaps the most horrifying example. Nazi Germany, driven by a virulent form of nationalism and racial purity ideology, systematically exterminated six million Jews and millions of others, including Roma, disabled individuals, and political prisoners. The Nazis used gas chambers as a primary method of mass murder. They subjected countless men, women, and children to a gruesome death. This industrial-scale killing was part of a broader campaign of ethnic cleansing that also involved mass shootings, forced labor camps, and death marches.
Beyond the mass killings, the Nazi regime engaged in widespread torture and arbitrary executions. Political dissidents, resistance fighters, and those deemed “undesirable” by the regime were subjected to brutal interrogations, beatings, and executions without any semblance of legal process. The regime’s disregard for human life and the rule of law was evident in the countless acts of unlawful violence carried out in the name of national and racial purity.
One of the most horrific aspects of this extreme nationalism was the inhumane medical experiments conducted on prisoners in concentration camps. Victims were subjected to gruesome procedures without consent. These atrocities included exposure to lethal diseases, surgical mutilations, and attempts to create “racially pure” individuals through grotesque scientific methods. These experiments, often performed by Nazi doctors like Josef Mengele, inflicted unimaginable pain and suffering on their victims, further highlighting the regime’s complete disregard for human dignity.
Beside Nazis
Extreme nationalism also manifested in other forms of ethnic cleansing and genocide throughout the 20th century. It was driven by similar ideologies of ethnic superiority and national purity. In the Balkans during the 1990s, extreme nationalist sentiments led to the Bosnian Genocide. Thousands of Muslims were murdered, tortured, and unlawfully detained in concentration camps. Ethnic Serbs, driven by a nationalist agenda, committed these atrocities as part of a broader campaign to create an ethnically homogeneous state.
The disgusting existence of national states that brought nothing but gas chambers should be ceased now. The dichotomy of us/them (tribalism) is highly deplorable.
Ethnocides, genocides, wars, and local conflicts all because of our primitive instincts
One of the earliest examples of extreme nationalism leading to genocide is the Armenian Genocide during World War I. The Ottoman Empire, fearing that the Armenian population might align with their enemies, embarked on a systematic campaign of extermination. Over a million Armenians were killed through forced marches, mass executions, and starvation. The driving force behind this atrocity was the nationalist desire to create a homogenous Turkish state. It means free of ethnic minorities who they perceived as a threat to national unity.
In the Balkans, the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s unleashed a wave of nationalist violence. It led to several wars and acts of genocide. As the multi-ethnic state dissolved, nationalist leaders in Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia exploited ethnic tensions to solidify their power. The Bosnian War, in particular, was marked by horrific acts of ethnic cleansing, where Bosnian Serb forces sought to create an ethnically pure Serbian territory. They killed Thousands of Bosniak Muslims in mass executions, and displacement, leading to a significant loss of life and the destruction of communities.
Rwanda
The Rwandan Genocide in 1994 is another stark example of extreme nationalism leading to mass violence. In Rwanda, the Hutu majority, incited by nationalist propaganda, turned against the Tutsi minority. Over the course of just a few months, around 800,000 Tutsis were slaughtered in a brutal campaign of violence. That included mass killings, rape, and torture. The genocide was driven by a nationalist ideology that framed the Tutsi as enemies of the state. It led to one of the most rapid and devastating genocides in modern history.
The 20th century also saw the rise of nationalist movements in Africa and Asia as countries fought for independence from colonial powers. In some cases, this led to brutal wars and acts of violence as nationalist leaders sought to unify their nations under a single ethnic or national identity. For instance, during the partition of India in 1947, extreme nationalist sentiments between Hindus and Muslims led to widespread communal violence. It resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions. The drive to create separate Hindu and Muslim nations – India and Pakistan – turned neighbors into enemies and communities into battlefields.
Cambodian genocide
Another example is the Cambodian Genocide under the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979. Led by Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge sought to create a utopian, agrarian society rooted in extreme nationalist and communist ideals. In their pursuit of this vision, they targeted ethnic minorities, intellectuals, and anyone perceived as a threat to their nationalistic goals. An estimated 1.7 to 2 million people were killed through execution, forced labor, and starvation, all justified by a radical nationalist ideology that prioritized the creation of a pure Cambodian state.
These examples demonstrate how extreme nationalism can lead to devastating wars and genocides. When nationalism becomes intertwined with ethnic, religious, or racial superiority, it often leads to the justification of violence against those who they see as “others.” The tragic outcomes of such ideologies serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked nationalism, highlighting the need for inclusivity, tolerance, and respect for diversity in building strong, peaceful nations.
Patriotism is obsolete: What we should be proud of? No, what we shouldn’t
I reiterate that people are proud of their country, region, dialect, language, religion, continent, cultural heritage, sports team, town or city, natural beauties, cuisine, historical figures, and military.
Except for local (not national) sports teams and their respective towns or cities, they shouldn’t be proud of anything mentioned. These can be healthy, but otherwise, patriotism is obsolete and very dangerous.
Patriotism brings the worst of the worst
Pride in one’s country, region, dialect, language, religion, and other aspects of identity can bring people together, fostering unity and a shared sense of belonging. However, when these sources of pride become too exclusive or are used to define “us” versus “them,” they can lead to significant negative consequences. This sense of pride, if taken to an extreme, can create divisions that are detrimental to social harmony, peace, and cooperation.
For example, pride in one’s country can turn into aggressive nationalism, where the interests of one nation are placed above those of others. This can lead to conflicts, as seen in many wars where nations have sought to expand their power or protect their perceived superiority at the expense of others. Similarly, strong regional pride can lead to secessionist movements or civil conflicts within a country, where different regions feel so distinct from one another that they no longer wish to coexist under the same national government. This has been evident in various parts of the world, such as Catalonia in Spain or Scotland in the United Kingdom, where regional identities have clashed with national unity.
Pride in one’s dialect and language can also be divisive. People view their language as superior or as a key marker of their identity. So it can lead to the marginalization of those who speak different languages. This has happened in multilingual countries, where language-based discrimination has created social rifts and fueled ethnic tensions. For instance, in countries like Belgium or Canada, linguistic divides have led to political and social challenges. Communities feel alienated or marginalized based on the language they speak.
Religion over and over again
Religious pride can be particularly dangerous when it leads to intolerance or the persecution of those who follow different beliefs. When a nation or group defines itself by a particular religion, it can lead to the exclusion, oppression, or even violence against religious minorities. This has been the cause of numerous conflicts and acts of violence throughout history. From the Crusades to modern-day sectarian violence in the Middle East and South Asia, where religious identities have been manipulated to justify war and terrorism.
Religions often providing moral guidance and community. But they have been also responsible for some of the darkest chapters in human history. The Crusades, a series of religious wars from the 11th to 13th centuries, led to the slaughter of millions. As Christian states sought to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslims. These wars left a legacy of deep animosity between Christian and Muslim communities.
Similarly, the Inquisition, particularly the Spanish Inquisition, became infamous for its brutal persecution of heretics, Jews, and Muslims through torture, forced confessions, and executions by burning. This period also saw the rise of witch hunts across Europe and the Americas. Tens of thousands were accused of witchcraft and executed in horrific ways, driven by religious fanaticism and superstition.
Al-Qaeda and ISIS
Religious justification for atrocities extended to the colonization of the Americas. The Doctrine of Discovery, endorsed by the Catholic Church, led to the dispossession, enslavement, and killing of millions of indigenous people. The partition of India in 1947, driven by religious nationalism, resulted in one of the largest mass migrations in history. And widespread violence between Hindus and Muslims, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. In modern times, religious extremism has fueled global terrorism, with groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS committing atrocities in the name of distorted religious ideologies. This led to immense loss of life and global instability. These events highlight the destructive potential of religious extremism and the importance of promoting tolerance and understanding to prevent such horrors in the future.
Cultural pride
Pride in one’s continent or cultural heritage can foster a sense of belonging and identity. But it can also fuel xenophobia and racism. When people believe that their culture or heritage is superior, it can lead to the exclusion or demonization of those from other backgrounds. This can manifest in policies that discriminate against immigrants or minority groups, leading to social unrest and even violence. Historical examples include the colonization efforts where European powers, driven by a sense of cultural superiority, oppressed and exploited indigenous populations around the world.
Even pride in something as seemingly benign as a sports team can turn negative. While supporting a local or national team can bring communities together, it can also lead to intense rivalries that spill over into violence. Instances of hooliganism, where rival fans engage in violent confrontations, are a reminder of how easily sports pride can turn toxic, leading to injuries, deaths, and widespread social disorder.
Pride in one’s town or city can create local rivalries, often reflected in sports, but it can also lead to discrimination against those from other areas. This can manifest in urban-rural divides, where people from cities look down on rural populations or vice versa. This leads to social and economic inequalities and in my humble opinion, these are the only exceptions. Patriotism is obsolete in all of the cases besides these.
Natural beauties and cuisine
Similarly, pride in a region’s natural beauty can result in exclusionary practices. Locals resist the influx of outsiders, leading to tensions and even conflict over resources and access to public spaces.
Pride in local or national cuisine can be a source of cultural celebration. But it can also contribute to cultural chauvinism, where other food traditions are seen as inferior or unworthy. This can lead to cultural insularity, where communities resist the influence of other cultures. This prevents the rich exchange of culinary traditions that can enhance cultural understanding and diversity.
Patriotism is obsolete: National heroes as a laughing stock
Celebrating historical figures can also be divisive when those figures are associated with controversial or oppressive actions. Statues and monuments to such figures have become flashpoints in cultural conflicts, where different groups dispute their legacy. In some cases, pride in these figures can perpetuate historical injustices. And it may lead to social unrest and the tearing down of monuments, as seen in the recent movements to remove statues of Confederate leaders in the United States or colonial figures in other parts of the world.
Lastly, pride in a nation’s military can lead to militarism, where the glorification of military power and values overshadows diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution. This can result in aggressive foreign policies, an arms race, and ultimately, war. It can also foster a culture of violence and an acceptance of war as a means of solving disputes, which can have devastating consequences for global peace and security
Conclusion on how patriotism is obsolete
Patriotism is obsolete as a movement or a human way of thinking. While being proud of a country, region, dialect, language, religion, continent, cultural heritage, sports team, natural beauties, cuisine, historical figures, and military can bring a lot of ecstatic emotions and grounding, it has not only already turned into something horrible, but it is currently turning, and sadly, will continue to do so. If people manage to be proud without killing, torturing, conducting genocides, ethnocides, fighting, and torturing because their rival is a fan of a different team, bringing violence, xenophobia, gas chambers, gulags, religious violence, mass executions, racism, and so on, it would be fine.
The last setence is: No, they cannot manage it.
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