ABSTRACT
Nationalism and patriotism are being conflated. Patriotism is, in short, the affection for one’s country and values and the responsibility one has toward those values—being able to see shortcomings and areas in need of improvement. Nationalism is the more militaristic of the two concepts, with the nationalist believing politically in their country, right or wrong, and that their country is superior to all others and should dominate all. Every morning in elementary school since the 1930s, American school children rise to repeat the Pledge of Allegiance as part of their political socialization. America might have been a nation of immigrants, when Bellamy wrote the Pledge, it was written as a nativist oath. At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, there was talk about extending enfranchisement to those who served in the militia during the Revolutionary War. Women have served openly or secretly in military or in support of military operations.
