The reflex is real, but it isn't only a problem on the left. The right runs the mirror image, where loving the country means loving only the parts of it that vote the right way. Same move, different jersey. Patriotism as a loyalty test instead of an actual relationship with a place that's done both real good and real harm.
The one spot I'd push is the framing. Selling it as good for progressive politics kind of concedes the game. If the reason to reclaim patriotism is that it wins elections, that's still treating it as a tactic. The stronger claim is that the self-flagellation is just wrong on the record, and it'd be wrong even if it polled beautifully.
This was great, and very much lines up with a bunch of Todd Rose’s collective illusions work, including in the putative solution: signifying publicly what the group does and doesn’t think about the contentious issue actually *is* a high-leverage intervention!
I'm 66. The vast majority of my life I thought America was basically good, or at least mostly trying to be. Starting about 2016 that opinion started slipping. In 2024 it mostly disappeared. Coincidence? I think not. I'm hardly a progressive living in your bubble - but I think this country has really taken a turn. I don't think you have to put up a facade of rah rah patriotism to be successful, but you do have to be very thoughtful in how you discuss the flaws. Running around saying America sucks won't work, but calling out the obvious flaws that need to be addressed (and there are lots and Trump is creating more) is appropriate.
BTW - this article was too long. I read a bit and then skimmed the rest. The points could have been made in a much shorter piece. And my comment is probably too long also. 😁
The article promises to explain how it is both a good politics and a good policy to think that America is good. It delivers a lot of the first, but on the second, it basically pivots to state capacity, which is a hell of a jump.
The reflex is real, but it isn't only a problem on the left. The right runs the mirror image, where loving the country means loving only the parts of it that vote the right way. Same move, different jersey. Patriotism as a loyalty test instead of an actual relationship with a place that's done both real good and real harm.
The one spot I'd push is the framing. Selling it as good for progressive politics kind of concedes the game. If the reason to reclaim patriotism is that it wins elections, that's still treating it as a tactic. The stronger claim is that the self-flagellation is just wrong on the record, and it'd be wrong even if it polled beautifully.
This was great, and very much lines up with a bunch of Todd Rose’s collective illusions work, including in the putative solution: signifying publicly what the group does and doesn’t think about the contentious issue actually *is* a high-leverage intervention!
I'm 66. The vast majority of my life I thought America was basically good, or at least mostly trying to be. Starting about 2016 that opinion started slipping. In 2024 it mostly disappeared. Coincidence? I think not. I'm hardly a progressive living in your bubble - but I think this country has really taken a turn. I don't think you have to put up a facade of rah rah patriotism to be successful, but you do have to be very thoughtful in how you discuss the flaws. Running around saying America sucks won't work, but calling out the obvious flaws that need to be addressed (and there are lots and Trump is creating more) is appropriate.
BTW - this article was too long. I read a bit and then skimmed the rest. The points could have been made in a much shorter piece. And my comment is probably too long also. 😁
The article promises to explain how it is both a good politics and a good policy to think that America is good. It delivers a lot of the first, but on the second, it basically pivots to state capacity, which is a hell of a jump.