Patriotism

Arguments Against Patriotism
1.Strong feelings of patriotism makes war more likely.

In the book War, Its Causes and Correlates, authors Martin A. Nettleship, Dale Givens, and Walter de Gruyter show a correlation between strong feelings of patriotism in a population and the likelihood of war. ※❶ 2.It could encourage unjustified hatred 

2013 study at the University of Texas at Arlington found a definite correlation between patriotism or nationalism and negative feelings toward Latino immigrants.

3.Patriotism makes rights violations acceptable

Patriotic mythology and flags convince people that a country is more than an ambiguous concept, and that this supposedly real entity must be loved and protected even at the expense of hurting other people. In North Korea, citizens in detention centers are beaten for forgetting the words to patriotic songs.

4, It is expensive

Governments encourage patriotism, and the ways in which they do that can cost taxpayers heavily. For example, the Navy’s Blue Angels shows amazes crowds, arousing feelings of pride in country—but they eat up about $40 million each year.

5,Patriotic feelings encourage atrocities 

When a patriot feels that a government or organization represents his patriotic intent, he follows orders, even when that means doing horrible things.

※❶Propaganda used during WWⅠ

Patriotism In Schools
British Example

In 2008,  academics at the Institute of Education at London University said pupils should not be encouraged to love Britain for its "morally ambiguous" history. The researchers questioned more than 300 teachers in London secondary schools and pupils aged 13 to 14.Three quarters of the teachers said they had an obligation to alert their pupils to the dangers of patriotic sentiments. Only nine per cent of teachers said they believed that schools should promote patriotism. Michael Hand, who made the report supported the idea that patriotism should be taught as a controversial issue by stating that "Loving things can be bad for us, for example when the things we love are morally corrupt. Since all national histories are at best morally ambiguous, it's an open question whether citizens should love their countries."

Chinese Example

Almost a year ago, China issued a new directive, in which it is calling for an improved system of “Patriotic Education” in its schools. This plan — which is part of President Xi Jinping’s “China Dream” for national revival — focuses on creating in-classroom curricula that work to “guide youthful students to establish and maintain correct views of history, the nation, state, and culture” in addition to helping “constantly enhance their sense of belonging to the Chinese nation.” College-age student will be inoculated against liberal stance and will be taught to always follow the party. This will be achieved by making teacher to highlight China's virtues while hiding its questionable past.