Love versus loving criticism: Disentangling conventional and constructive patriotism

Abstract

We seek in three studies to better understand constructive patriotism by identifying perceptual and motivational factors that predict it above and beyond conventional patriotism and by examining one of its distinctive consequences (total n = 573). Study 1 (Polish students) shows that constructive patriotism is predicted by the perceived discrepancy between actual and ideal representations of the nation. Study 2 (Polish and Israeli students), which draws on Schwartz's theory of values, shows that constructive patriotism is negatively associated with the pursuit of self-interests. In Study 3 (Israeli adults), we broadened our investigation of constructive patriotism and conventional patriotism by examining the willingness to write examples of what constitutes a contribution to the nation, and analysed the content of these written statements. Individuals who scored higher on constructive patriotism wrote more examples, as well as more distinctive examples, of contributions to the nation. These findings provide the first empirical evidence for predictors and potential consequences of constructive patriotism that go beyond the love of one's nation.

The Shadows of the Past

“…Personal values were measured using the short values scale (Sekerdej & Roccas, 2016). Social desirability was assessed using six items based on Paulhaus (1991) (ranging from 1, untrue, to 7, very true, sample item: "I don't gossip about other people's business"; α=.75).…”

The Nation and the Family: The Impact of National Identification and Perceived Importance of Family Values on Homophobic Attitudes in Lithuania and Scotland

“…Moreover, the reception of such constructions will depend on national citizens’ relationships with the nation. Analysts differentiate between conventional and constructive patriotism, with the latter encouraging the critical reappraisal of the contemporary state of the nation (Sekerdej and Roccas 2016). This means that critical evaluations of the nation are likely to be received differently according to the type of patriotism individuals endorse.…”

Identity Mediators: Leadership and Identity Construction in Campaign Speeches of American Presidential Candidates' Spouses

“…Heinz Kerry draws upon the tradition of American exceptionalism by contrasting her hopeful America, unique among nations, to that of the fearful America under the Bush administration. In a way, she invokes a form of constructive patriotism (Sekerdej & Roccas, ), which involves showing respect for the nation but also questioning and evaluating it with a willingness to change.…”

“…She then concludes her speech in reference to Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address declaring that the American people are waiting to be summoned by “the better angels of [their] nature” to choose a leader who will draw upon “the mystic chords of memory,” and she ends her speech by suggesting that a vote for John would “restore our faith in ourselves and in the sense of limitless opportunity that has always been America's gift to the world.” In so doing, Heinz Kerry constructs the nature of America's global defense of freedom in relation to an image of the nation that is diametrically opposed to military aggression, again invoking a strong sense of constructive patriotism and with it a “loving criticism” (Skekerdej & Roccas, ) of the status quo. That is, Heinz Kerry is able to act as a mediator who aligns her husband with an American identity constructed as being rooted in collective memory of historical, peaceful, moral purity.…”