Even as elites dismiss patriotism, small-town rituals and Walter Berns’s Making Patriots remind us that liberty cannot survive without love of country.
In my New England neighborhood, July 4th is a cherished tradition. The 20-odd children here form an honor guard, parading briefly to lay a wreath at a tiny war monument. We raise the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and sing the National Anthem, followed by a local address. A friendly cleric even offers a benediction—unusual for contemporary standards but deeply meaningful.
This ceremony evokes gratitude for American freedom and reflects on the political genius that shaped it. Lincoln’s words, “the last, best hope of earth,” resonate profoundly. Revisiting Berns’s Making Patriots, I found its eloquence striking. The late philosopher argues that patriotism, once a civic virtue, now faces decline among elites, though figures like Donald Trump attempt to revive it.
Berns highlights Lincoln’s advocacy for a patriotism rooted in principles rather than blind loyalty. He critiques “pretended patriotism” as self-serving, emphasizing reasoned commitment over chauvinism. American patriotism, distinct from Spartan or Athenian models, is based on ideals of freedom and popular sovereignty. The nation’s founding documents—The Federalist Papers, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution—established a unique understanding of loyalty to ideas, not just land.
Berns warns that without moral and civic education, patriotism falters. Schools once taught respect for America’s principles, but over time, curricula eroded this focus. Laws mandating cultural relativism, like Florida’s 1991 statute, undermine the values needed to nurture citizens. The question remains: can the private sphere sustain the task of fostering patriotism?
While the article touches on broader societal debates, it centers on Berns’s enduring message: liberty thrives when grounded in principled love for country.
