My Country, Right Or Wrong!

[mibn2cweus]

To what extent do you suppose this kind of sentiment has shaped the state of the world we live in today?

[JimF]

Either not at all or completely.

[Old_Geezer]

43.734%

[ynnafymmi]

....or according to Diane Abbott it is 343.734% of the population.

[bhg481]

Is that figure exact, OG or have you rounded it to 3 decimal places?

[naomi24]

‘Allo mibs,

I can’t think of another way. A world without countries and borders would still require a social structure, laws, educational facilities, health facilities, social welfare, etc., and a central body to make decisions and to administer all that in such a manner as to satisfy all regardless of cultural peculiarities. Personally, I think it’s an idealistic notion and as such completely unworkable….

… or is that not what you meant?

[woofgang]

Can you explain what you mean please?

[Zacs-Master]

Somewhere between 0 and 100%

[sevenOP]

It has shaped the world and been said by the powerful - tyrants, kings, Leaders(religion and non-religion) etc - and been forced on, inculcated and in some cases willingly followed by the masses.

It is of course immoral, but tribalism can easily trump morality.

[mibn2cweus]

//It is of course immoral, but tribalism can easily trump morality.//

Immoral, and in my estimation, unfortunate.

[jim360]

I don't think it helps when tackling what are obviously global problems. If individual nations try to work on their own then they are doomed to fail. Not that a supranational entity will necessarily be better, mind -- but at least it would have a better chance.

[Old_Geezer]

It's an irrational percentage bhg.

[naomi24]

mibs/sevenOP, given a free hand what would you have in its place?

[sevenOP]

Naomi - "I can’t think of another way"

Changing that outlook would be a beginning.

[naomi24]

sevenOP. I didn't ask for your advice. I asked if given a free hand what would you have in its place? Any answer?

[sevenOP]

Naomi - "I asked if given a free hand what would you have in its place?"

I am not clear what you mean by "in its place".

My Country, Right Or Wrong!' is NOT 'in place' in my mind nor anyone I know, but if it was then removing it would be a beginning.

[mibn2cweus]

The point of this thread was a focus on unbridled patriotism, the widespread view that 'we are right' simply because it's us and 'no one better tell us (or attempt to show us where) we're wrong'. In my mind that attitude is obviously wrong and yet it is pervasive and damaging to us all.

All the same I appreciate the sharing of each one's views and found them all in some regard worthy of consideration.

[naomi24]

SevenOP, //My Country, Right Or Wrong!' is NOT 'in place' in my mind nor anyone I know, but if it was then removing it would be a beginning.//

Not with you. What would you remove?

[Zacs-Master]

Ones frontal lobes, presumably, N?

[naomi24]

Mibs, //The point of this thread was a focus on unbridled patriotism, the widespread view that 'we are right' simply because it's us and 'no one better tell us (or attempt to show us where) we're wrong'.//

I’m not sure that attitude is as widespread as you imagine, but having said that most people understand that if they don’t protect their own then the other bloke will always do what is best for him. That is human nature and all the airy-fairy notions of some sort of altruistic Utopia won’t change that reality.

This country comes in for plenty of criticism from its residents but when push comes to shove it is our home and most people - even its critics - will, for the reason given above, defend it - and that doesn’t apply solely to this country - it applies the world over.

As a student I was friends with a Jewish lady - one of the wisest people I have ever known - and I remained friends with her until she died. It was she who told me that I’m one of most fortunate people in the world. Why? I’m white, Christian (I was then), and British. And you know what? She was right.

I’m patriotic, I love my country, I’m proud of my country, and quite honestly it that makes me whatever it makes me in the eyes of those who don’t feel similarly, it’s their problem. I travel the world but home is always England. There’s nowhere like it on earth.

I’ve probably gone way off track with this little ramble …. but hey ho. It wouldn’t be the first time. ;o)

[Zacs-Master]