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The concepts of nationalism and patriotism has all but disappeared in American society. It is true to say that nationalism is in a steady and definitive decline, but it will never die.

Nationalism, the selfless loyalty to ones nation in times of good and bad has changed greatly over the years. During the times of World War One and Two, the citizens of America showed an undying fervor for patriotism, doing whatever was necessary for the greater cause of victory. This is because the nation was at war with a definite enemy, Germany and its numerous allies. We see a time of liberation for women as they go into the work force to support the war effort, everyone unable to carry a gun was carrying the burden of the work that needed to be done on the home front. That was a time when politicians could be trusted, and our allies faced certain annihilation. Today things are a bit more complicated than that.

Today we are facing a war with shadows, a conflict in which we do not see our enemy. Our foe is not an entity, but an idea... extremist Islam and terrorism. We are not fighting the Third Reich, but an ideology, a concept. We are fighting individuals, not battalions, the lone bomber, not an armored cavalry. The lack of a substantial enemy and the definite lack of support in leadership is a sign of the times. The face of warfare has changed so the face of nationalism changes. We no longer support our President because we can no longer believe what he says. We have been brought into a war based on faulty intelligence and bad judgment. We have fought this conflict in Iraq longer than we fought World War Two as of November of last year, and we have not yet had a decisive victory. This will obviously effect nationalism in a negative aspect. America supported the invasion of Normandy because they knew they had no other choice, and that we would be victorious, despite heavy casualties. America today does not support the war on terror because we do not have that victory in our sights, we are unsure, we were grossly unprepared.

The lack of credible information prior to the conflict in Iraq has brought about dissension amongst the people of America. America was supportive of the attack on Al Qaeda after the September 11 attacks, because we believed we had a definite enemy and we knew we could defeat it. Iraq was launched based on full speculation and half truths. We went in believing they were in possession of weapons of mass destruction. Four years later and no such weapons even exist. Nationalism was hit hard after that conclusion. When the leader of the most powerful nation in the world is caught in a blatant lie, as he was during his 2007 State of the Union address when he stated he cut the national deficit in half, that negatively affects nationalism. As long as the American people believe they are being lied to, the mistrust and disloyalty will continue.

Nationalism has all but died in this nation, as long as the people support the military and fight to get them home safely, nationalism prevails. Nationalism has not died, but has evolved, no longer does it mean undying faith in every decision of our leaders, but now critiquing every detail in order to ensure freedom and prevent senseless loss of human life. Today's nationalist is well read, intelligent and willing to stand against that which is ultimately wrong or unjust. They see this war as simple propaganda for a cause that has been lost many years ago. Todays nationalist is tired of hearing the death count increase as our hold on peace decreases. They still love the country of their birth, and believe that by demonstration and protest they will show their nationalism.

Learn more about this author, Jeremy Maples.
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