Final answer:
Nationalism is an ideology that places one's nation above others, while patriotism is a sense of love and commitment to one's country without asserting its superiority. Nationalism is often ethnically defined, as seen in 19th-century Germany, whereas patriotism is a unifying civic virtue that fosters solidarity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference between Nationalism and Patriotism
Nationalism and patriotism are both terms that describe one's love and devotion to one's country, yet they differ in ideology and application. Nationalism is a political and social system that places one's own nation above others, emphasizing the promotion of its culture, and interests, and often defining membership based on ethnic lineage. It suggests a collective identity based on shared characteristics like language, history, and heritage, and sometimes it justifies superiority or dominance over other nations.
Patriotism, on the other hand, is a personal, emotional commitment to one's country and a willingness to support and defend it. Patriotism does not imply superiority over other countries; rather, it embodies a sense of solidarity and civic duty within the context of one's own nation.
Historical examples can show us the expression of these ideologies. For instance, during the Revolutionary War, American leaders encouraged patriotism to unite the colonists against British rule while acknowledging the need for a collective governing framework, which was an early form of nationalism. Similarly, in 19th-century Europe, different forms of nationalism arose, such as in Germany and France, where national identity was constructed along ethnic and civic lines, respectively.
Ultimately, nationalism often seeks to attain and maintain a nation's autonomy and often entails asserting the interests of the nation above others, whereas patriotism is a more passive sentiment of love for one's country that can unite its people under a common identity and purpose without necessarily elevating it above other nations.