Constructive emotions? Patriotism as a predictor of civic activity in Poland

Abstract

In many post-communist countries, the concept of patriotism is used instrumentally in populist discourses. It is rarely the subject of a substantive public debate, in which symbolic elites would be able to openly discuss and negotiate the scope of its meaning in front of an interested audience. A long-term plan to shape constructive civil attitudes gives way to the pressure of being effective in current politics. The author proposes to look at the category of patriotism in a socially useful way and to treat it as an important factor in the process of building a civil society. The young generation can play a significant role in this process. Poland seems to be an interesting case for the analysis of this research problem. This paper has two objectives. The descriptive objective is to present the author's research data on a sense and understanding of patriotism among Polish students. Its aim is to describe the prevailing pattern of patriotic attitudes and ideas about patriotism as shared by students. The explanatory objective of this paper is to answer the question about the constructive potential of patriotism: whether and to what extent it is an important determinant of civic activity. The results obtained should lead to practical conclusions that may be useful for various social institutions which are interested in releasing the positive energy of citizens and orienting them to functional goals, that is, the education system, as well as for political institutions that design and implement elements of the so-called youth policy.

Using Multiple Regression Approach to Study Youth’s Patriotism Tendency

“…Among the factors that cause students not to be interested in volunteer activities are due to time management factors, fatigue, volunteer activities that are biased and involve only one race and there is not enough information about increasing the spirit of volunteerism in Malaysia in general and universities in particular. This is in line with a study conducted by Marzecki (2019) on Poland students. Although constructive patriotism is often associated with volunteering but the studies conducted failed to link constructive patriotism as a cause of making students active or participating in volunteering activities.…”

“…Druckman (1994) states whether a positive view of one's own country will cause us to view other countries from a purely negative angle. The findings of this study are in line with a study conducted by Marzecki (2019) which showed a significant relationship between patriotism with the formation of Poland students' identity. Patriotism helps in the formation of students' identity and in turn causes students to strive to show a good moral code to maintain the good name of the country.…”

“…It is a high patriotic behaviour in which the emergence of awareness and desire is then translated into participation to serve and contribute to the country. A study conducted on Poland students found that the perception of patriotism has a positive relationship with emotional attachment such as a sense of love for one's country while encouraging a person to engage in social, political or moral activities (Marzecki, 2019). They understand that a constructive spirit of patriotism is engaging in community activities, volunteering activities as well as charitable activities.…”

“…Although constructive patriotism is often associated with volunteering but the studies conducted failed to link constructive patriotism as a cause of making students active or participating in volunteering activities. Even students have a blind spirit of patriotism nor is it constructive, it does not make the student interested in political involvement nor volunteer activities (Marzecki, 2019).…”

Preparing of Future Specialists for Civic Education of Preschool Children

“…The article by Marzęcki (2019) examines the category of patriotism from a social point of view, and also presents research data on the meaning of patriotism among Polish students. Gusacov (2018) notes that the upbringing of patriotism, it is love and fidelity of Motherland, it can be an educational solution for restoration and cohesion, as well as for building social solidarity between groups of Israel citizens and within them.…”