ABSTRACT
Nothing is more political than the appeal to patriotism. Samuel Johnson said patriotism was the last refuge o f a scoundrel. When politicians are in difficulties, to beat the jingo drum, to conquer a small island, will - with media help - win short-term popularity. So when Sir Keith Joseph and Mrs Thatcher’s Lord Hugh Thomas start to talk about inculcating patriotism in school history teaching, we should welcome their interest but be wary o f their intentions. Are we going back to ‘M y country, right or w rong’ , to a narrow nationalism smugly satisfied with the unique virtues o f the British? Back to mythical ‘Victorian values’ , which in reality meant keeping women and the lower classes in their place - no votes, no trade unions?
