For Love of Country: An Essay on Patriotism and Nationalism [Paperback]

Maurizio Viroli (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198293585 | ISBN-13: 978-0198293583 | Publication Date: November 6, 1997

Reconstructing the historical meaning of the terms nationalism and patriotism, Viroli shows how the two concepts have been used within specific cultural and ideological contexts. He reviews the political thought of modern and early modern Europe, with particular emphasis on France, Italy, England, and Germany, and comes up with a fundamental difference between patriotism and nationalism. Viroli argues that patriotism and nationalism are two ideologies that aim to reinforce and channel two different and powerful political passions: the love of a common good and the love of uniqueness and homogeneity. The Patriot is a supporter of the republic, his enemies are tyranny and corruption; the Nationalist supports ethnic, cultural, or religious unity, and fights against impurity, contamination, and diversity. He concludes, therefore, that while it is morally acceptable to be a patriot, it is morally unacceptable, as well as unnecessary, to be a nationalist to defend the values that nationalists hold dear. This work will be of interest to students and scholars of political theory and political science, as well as to historians of political thought.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Excellent [and] very timely. Maurizio Viroli's proposal to reclaim the language of republican patriotism is not only an important contribution to the discussion around the issue of nationalism. It is also a crucial intervention in the current debate about the need for 'community' and 'civic virtue.'"-- Political Studies

"[Viroli] offers us two essays for the price of one. Two, because in his twofold purpose he manages to produce both a scholarly piece of intellectual history and a forcefully articulated piece of personal conviction."--The Review of Politics

About the Author

Maurizio Viroli is Professor in the Department of Politics at Princeton University. He is the author of From Politics to Reason of State and Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the "Well-Ordered Society".

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198293585
• ISBN-13: 978-0198293583
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,464,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For Love of Country???, October 29, 2000

By 

Liv (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Love of Country: An Essay on Patriotism and Nationalism (Hardcover)

This book is quite confusing! It goes in circles trying to define two concepts; nationalism and patriotism. By the time that you are finished you will have read through about every theory out there on the two themes...but it is as if everything is thrown at you. I have read this book for a Master's course and each one of us had a completely different take on the book. This book is for someone who has an solid knowledge of the formation of the nation-states in Europe. Also it would have brought the point home more if the author had provided translations of the german and italian texts found in the footnotes.

4 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I've only read through the 68th page but..., October 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: For Love of Country: An Essay on Patriotism and Nationalism (Hardcover)

I don't understand!! I am reading the spanish version and the footnotes are IN PORTUGUESE?? I don't see why they couldn't translate those! I mean, footnotes are supposed to be there to HELP you understand the book! I have to turn in an 8 page summary of this book and I don't understand it!

This isn't a book for someone who doesn't know the history of Europe; it has NOT been written for the general public! It's a very interesting subject matter but It's not clearly explained (at least not in my opinion). It goes through so many examples that one forgets what the author was talking about in the first place. I don't like it! *sighs*( It's good to be able to vent) (by the way, if anyone can help me understand it, I have to turn in my paper on Wed!) hehe! Thanks!