The Important Value of Nationalism and Patriotism

 By  Akhmad Zamroni

Source: Shutterstock

Can a nation and state maintain its survival without being supported by the nationalism and patriotism of its people? What will the fate of a nation and state be if the nationalism and patriotism of the people is thin or weak? It can be said that a nation and a state whose people have little or no nationalism and patriotism, sooner or later, will be neglected and may eventually disband. In certain cases, for example in the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, even neglect and dissolution occurred without attack by other nations and countries, aka it happened by itself.

This shows that nationalism and patriotism are absolutely necessary in maintaining the survival of the nation and state (nation-state). Citizens or people of a country and nation are obliged to have nationalism and patriotism if they want the existence and survival of the nation and state to be maintained. For future needs, nationalism and patriotism not only function as guardians of integrity and survival, but also as driving force for the creation of a strong, advanced and prosperous nation and state.

It has become like a natural law and applies universally to all nations and countries - including us, Indonesia. Gradually, nationalism and patriotism will graph the development of a nation and a country which has increased from time to time to reach a high degree. This can be seen in the case of several countries, for example Germany and Japan. These two nations and countries are known to have strong and high nationalism and patriotism so that even after losing the war and being destroyed (post-World War II) they were able to rise and achieve significant strength and progress.

In the early stages, nationalism and patriotism will make the nation and state safe and intact. Nations and countries where all components of their citizens have high nationalism and patriotism, will be relatively able to defend themselves from divisions and undermines (including attacks from outside and within). Guaranteed security and integrity, making nationalism and patriotism able to foster an ethos of self-improvement and self-development and mobilizing initiatives to take real action to achieve progress and prosperity in life.

One thing should be noted that nationalism and patriotism must be embedded in a measured and proportional manner; in a sense, it is not excessive to result in a chauvinistic attitude (to love one's own nation and state excessively). Excessive nationalism and patriotism can lead to a narrow attitude that does not care and respect other nations and countries. This attitude will backfire dangerous because other nations and countries are partners in cooperation that can be a determining factor in achieving peace and progress in life.

Nationalism and patriotism must also be applied in the right direction. Nationalism and patriotism must be aimed at the nation and the state as a whole, not only at the government which is currently in power. The government is only one element (within the nation and state), which is entrusted with the mandate to manage the life of the nation and state.

The correct placement of nationalism and patriotism in relation to the government's position is to be cooperative and critical of the government. We fully support the government in carrying out state programs as long as government behavior and policies do not conflict with the constitution and laws and regulations. On the other hand, we demand law enforcement, replacement, and improvement if government behavior and policies are contrary to the constitution and laws and regulations.