The Truth about Patriotism [Paperback]

Steven Johnston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 29, 2007

The Truth about Patriotism is a bracing repudiation of the claim that patriotism is essential—or even beneficial—to democracy. Contending that even at its best patriotism subverts the democracy it purports to value, Steven Johnston turns to patriotism’s defenders to show how they must jettison much of democracy to champion patriotism. Closely examined, patriotism itself effectively demonstrates the impossibility of love of country. Patriotism, Johnston argues, tends toward narcissistic self-regard, blind to its violent ways of being in the world and its dependence on death. Thus we would be better off without it.

Drawing largely from aspects of American political and popular culture, this wide-ranging book presents a wealth of examples to disclose patriotism’s self-defeating character. They include Richard Rorty’s and John Schaar’s enmity-driven love of country, Socrates’s angry judicial suicide, the violent obsessions of High Noon and Saving Private Ryan, the triumphalist self-display of the World War II Memorial, Oliver Stone’s and Don DeLillo’s spectacular representations of the assassination of President Kennedy, George W. Bush’s symbolic sacrifice of more Americans in commemoration of September 2001, and yet other memorials to and apologies for patriotism. Ultimately, Johnston calls for a vision of democracy that uses the tragic possibilities inherent in politics as a spur to a life-affirming civic ethos of reciprocal generosity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Have you become wary of how benign patriotism is invoked to counter bellicose patriotism? In this book Steven Johnston shows you why that wariness is well grounded. He explains the traps attached to benign patriotism, and he presents an alternative suited to democratic life. An indispensable book for a post-Bush era.”—William E. Connolly, author of Capitalism and Christianity, American Style

“This courageous book directly confronts a political impulse—patriotism—that has been a largely unchallenged cornerstone of American culture and, at the same time, an integral strategy for the deployment of hatred and resentment that threatens the democratic enterprise. Drawing on diverse sources (intellectual and popular; contemporary, historical, and classical), Steven Johnston questions the very possibility of a coherent American patriotism.”—William Chaloupka, Professor of Political Science, Colorado State University

From the Publisher

"Have you become wary of how benign patriotism is invoked to counter bellicose patriotism? In this book Steven Johnston shows you why that wariness is well grounded. He explains the traps attached to benign patriotism, and he presents an alternative suited to democratic life. An indispensable book for a post-Bush era."--William E. Connolly, author of Capitalism and Christianity, American Style

"This courageous book directly confronts a political impulse--patriotism--that has been a largely unchallenged cornerstone of American culture and, at the same time, an integral strategy for the deployment of hatred and resentment that threatens the democratic enterprise. Drawing on diverse sources (intellectual and popular; contemporary, historical, and classical), Steven Johnston questions the very possibility of a coherent American patriotism."--William Chaloupka, Professor of Political Science, Colorado State University --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Duke University Press (August 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822341107
• ISBN-13: 978-0822341109
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,255,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular critique of patriotism, November 1, 2008

By 

Look for "deleuze" (...) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Truth about Patriotism (Paperback)

In this book, Steve Johnston shows what we lose when we subsume our identities to our governments'. An intriguing and stimulating analysis of the national/governmental complex that demands nothing short of absolute subservience.

0 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars steven johnston is a disgrace, November 2, 2008

By 

Troy L. (Prairieville, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Truth about Patriotism (Paperback)

How unamerican can one person be? what happened to steven johnston to make him hate our country so much? how good do we have it here and how much more freedom does johnston expect? sure, things could always be better and we should never settle for less but steven johnston is one unappreciative, disgraceful, American and he's utterly lacking in respect for his country. Johnston has said it himself, "I don't stand for the National Anthem at sporting events". what is he trying to prove, how much attention does he need. Steve, how about trying to improve our great nation rather than just whine about it? How about serving our country rather than being a detriment to it. Too many have fought and died for our flag; if you don't stand for the National Anthem because you hate America, then go elsewhere (yes, that old line) or start standing up and honoring the people who have given you your freedom, even the freedom to write such a lousy book.