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Patriotism

“Conceit, arrogance and egotism are the essentials of patriotism. Let me illustrate. Patriotism assumes that our globe is divided into little spots, each one surrounded by an iron gate. Those who have had the fortune of being born on some particular spot consider themselves nobler, better, grander, more intelligent than those living beings inhabiting any other spot. It is, therefore, the duty of everyone living on that chosen spot to fight, kill and die in the attempt to impose his superiority upon all the others. 

The inhabitants of the other spots reason in like manner, of course, with the result that from early infancy the mind of the child is provided with blood-curdling stories about the Germans, the French, the Italians, Russians, etc. When the child has reached manhood he is thoroughly saturated with the belief that he is chosen by the Lord himself to defend his country against the attack or invasion of any foreigner. It is for that purpose that we are clamoring for a greater army and navy, more battleships and ammunition.
An army and navy represent the people's toys.”

—Emma Goldman


التكبر والغرور والأنانية من أساسيات الروح الوطنية. دعوني أوضح. تفترض الوطنية أن عالمنا مقسم إلى بُقَع صغيرة، كل واحدة منها محاطة ببوابة حديدية. أولئك الذين أسعفهم الحظ أن يولدوا في بُقْعة معينة يعتبرون أنفسهم أنبل وأفضل وأعظم وأكثر ذكاءً من البشر الذين يعيشون في أي مكان آخر. لذلك ، من واجب كل من يعيش في تلك البقعة المختارة القتال والقتل والموت في محاولة لفرض تفوقه على الآخرين.


سكان المناطق الأخرى يفكرون بطريقة مماثلة ، بالطبع ، ونتيجة لذلك يتم تزويد عقل الطفل منذ الطفولة المبكرة بقصص مخيفة عن الألمان ، والفرنسيين ، والإيطاليين ، والروس ، وما إلى ذلك. عندما يصل الطفل إلى مرحلة الرجولة ، يكون مشبعًا تمامًا بالاعتقاد بأنه تم اختياره من قبل الرب نفسه للدفاع عن بلده ضد أي هجوم أو غزو أجنبي. ولهذا الغرض فإننا نطالب بجيش أكبر وبحرية أكبر ، والمزيد من البوارج والذخيرة. ويمثل الجيش والبحرية لُعَبَ الشعب ".

— إيما غولدمان


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