Patriotism vs. Nationalism

[zefloid13]

In the context of semantics, how do you differentiate patriotism from nationalism, if you believe it can be done? It what terms do you differ? Does one serve as a basis for the other, or can they manifest independently?

[Doobah47]

I'd say language is the basis of nationalism, yet is also the basis of the cognitive issue that is patriotism - in that one might be 'patriotic' for a region within a nation, perhaps relevant to accent differences etc...

Essentially, prejudicial conduct is the formation of both, yet one is relevant (imo) more to social category and the other to economic politics.

[Didymos Thomas]

The patriot loves his country enough to dissent.

[Pangloss]

"It must never be unpatriotic to support your country against your government. It must always be unpatriotic to support your government against your country."

--Stephen T. Byington

[jgweed]

Patriotism is an individual's love for one's country: nationalism is the concept that the nation-state is the over-riding political value with specific rights, etc., and that a particular instance has legitimate claims to be one.
One may think of the first term as a psychological description of an individual, and the second as a political movement. The two terms may overlap or not, just as an individual may be placed with a class or group or not.

[Khethil]

Hmmm,

Patriotism, I see as a devotion or love for ones' country. Nationalism has this element, but I believe is differentiated by the view that one's country is superior in one way or another. Looking through some definitions, I think this is a consistent explanation.

Originally Posted by zefloid13

Does one serve as a basis for the other, or can they manifest independently?

I wouldn't think these two concepts to be independent at all, simply because it's hard to imagine one having a nationalistic view without some element of patriotism.

Thanks