Patriotism

 

The Essential Ingredients:

All nations, irrespective of its state of economic wellbeing, as reflected in the living standards and the cost of living of all its citizens and subjects, as well as its paralleled perception in the global community do have citizens that hold dear to their heart, the nation in view. In the midst of the turmoil eroding their nation, these individuals see no other country as home but their birth country which by all indication is just the only country meant for them, after all God never makes mistake, and as thus made no mistake in creating one as a national of a country. 

According to Mohandas Ghandi, patriotism is the same as the love of humanity. You might wonder and ask yourself where I am driving at with this article - which I sincerely have to confess has long been delayed for about 20 months – but before you keep pondering, sincerely respond to this… How patriotic are you towards your country?

According to the Merriam English Dictionary, a patriot is a person who loves and strongly supports or fights for his or her country and patriotism is the love for or devotion to one's country. 

The underlining guide to this work would be focussed on 5 highlighting words in my definition and perception to what being a Patriot is all about. 

I see a patriot as an individual that exudes PAssion, TRust and an Innate-orientation on one’s country built by the Opportunities at one’s disposal which could all influence one’s contribution to the Transition of one's State in all spheres of nationhood.

Patriot: A mathematical phenomenon

One cannot question the effect of the extent of a patriot’s commitment and allegiance to his or her country to that of an individual that is less of a patriot. Patriotism is in itself contractible by the visible and invisible commitment of all individuals in a state to the set beliefs, goals and objectives of the land which are manifested by the 5 words highlighted earlier, with the last word being the sole visible effect and resultant effect of the 4 words before it which are all invisible. 

Irrespective of the aforementioned, I opine that a single missing word, ingredient in this vein, would not yield an all-inclusive patriot but a half-baked because mathematically, PA (Passion) + TR (Trust) + I (Innate-orientation) + O (Opportunities) + T (Transition) = Patriot

So as observed mathematically, a missing component exposes one as a less-inclusive patriot.

PA + TR + I + O + T = Patriot: How patriotic are you?  

In this section, all 5 words highlighted would be closely looked at so as to discuss the variance in the extent of patriotism by individuals across all nationalities. 

PA (Passion). I see Passion as a very intriguing word that denotes the innermost drive inherent in one which also doubles as a force to why one does what one does the way one does it. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines passion “as a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something”.

In the national circles, what strengthens the passion of an individual towards his or her country are the diffused opportunities in offering in the country, across all segments of individual difference –ethnicity, tribe, economic status -. 

These opportunities are well detailed in the article “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: A tool to achieving an equitable State” http://taiwokehinde-mymind.blogspot.com/2014/02/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-tool-to.html

A country in which the basic necessities of life – food clothing and shelter and much more – are not widespread but reserved for a few, as if these few individuals are more of a citizen than the others, would have the vast majority in deprivation truly being less patriotic, as they would be driven to denounce their nationality to nations with more opportunities at the slightest opportunity, with an environment that would indeed help keep their dream alive leading to brain drain and a loss in a good number of human resources that only if the country got it right, would have driven a national across the board transition.

TR (Trust): As the governed, how well do you trust your government and as part of the government (those privileged to call the shots) and the government in general, how well have you gained the trust of your people. Winning a re-election bid at the polls in a free and fair election significantly speaks to how well the individual is trusted by the governed whom widely trust his or her ability to deliver at a second attempt. 

It is paramount to emphasize that truth be told that the reason one is made President, Governor, Minister, Commissioner or some other position to call the shots is simply because the word trust is very critical in driving patriotism in a given State or geographical entity.

I (Innate-orientation): What is innate is natural and cannot be changed overnight but a hard nut to crack which only gets cracked by lots of perseverance and tenacity when one is lucky. I believe that Innate and orientation in this vein are inseparable, as ones orientation is most times innate as a result of one’s culture, beliefs, environment and experience educationally. 

In addition, according to Merriam Webster dictionary, orientation is “a person's feelings, interests, and beliefs”. Based on this, the connect between Innate and Orientation could be drawn out, as beliefs are most times innate, built by the culture and experience of individuals.

Opportunities: Opportunities available in a country or given geographical location largely influence the contentment of its individuals and their capability to play a major role in nation-building, whilst building in them, a sense of belonging to the State in view. 

On this note, the extent of availability of these opportunities comprising education, infrastructural facilities, social amenities and especially, a conscience driven government goes a long way in influencing one’s patriotism status – all-inclusive or less-inclusive –. A conscience driven government is included as an opportunity because good governance is hard to come by especially in Africa, and when provided, should be held on to with utmost affection and respect. 

T (Transition): Transition simply entails a change from one condition or state or level to another. Transition is a progressive change in the level or state of an item or subject in view, resulting from a modification in its initial or preceding state. Such modification is the resultant effect of Passion, Trust, Innate-orientation and Opportunities which all define a Patriot. Transition is also driven when the system in place –laws, rules, policies, as well government are prosperity driven on the affairs of a country or given geographical entity.   

As depicted in the opening image to this article, in the words of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, a great American author and humourist – “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government, when it deserves it”.

A deep food for thought Mark Twain’s words are which by all indication speak to why so many people love their country but dislike their government. This entails that whatever state a country is found in makes the government accountable and held responsible for such, with its actions and decisions, closely scrutinised in driven the required transition by the government in view and most importantly proceeding governments...

 

These said, kindly challenge yourself on these questions:

1.       Are you Patriotic? If on the affirmative, then…

2.       How Patriotic are you? If on the contrary, then…

3.       What can be done to influence your patriotism? If still on the negative, then…

4.       Why shouldn’t you be Patriotic?

5.       Closely analysing the government at all tiers in your country, are they all patriot?