Жолбов. Английский билеты. 4-5 курс / 4 курс Patriotism versus chauvinism. Discuss

21.Patriotism versus chauvinism. Discuss.

It was sometime at the beginning of the nineteenth century that a soldier in Napoleon's army when asked to justify the incessant wars that France launched against its neighbours gave the classic reply which immortalized him. The reply: "My country therefore right". The soldier: Nicholas Chauvin. He gave us an entire new concept; Chauvinism.

Chauvinism can be described as aggressive or fanatical patriotism, particularly during time of war, in support of one's own nation (e.g., government, culture, etc.) versus other nation(s) The word 'chauvinism', describes the aggressive drive to conquer. Patriotism', on the other hand, is a drive directed inward, as quiet pride in oneself and one's kin, whether family, region or nation. Patriotism is contemplative feeling of continuity. While chauvinism has brought more destruction than contribution to civilisations, without patriotism the arts and letters wouldn't exist. Let's take, for example, any of the great creators. We see from their work that they were very much rooted in their present and past and that national history and tradition were a main source of their inspiration. Even the modernist innovators needed tradition to know what they were breaking away from. Nobody is a blank page. National ideals don't have to appeal to everybody, they may seem exalted and naive, and perhaps they are; but they are powerful fuel for inspiration, and, as such, they deserve respect and protection. Of course any overdose may be dangerous, even vitamins. Therefore our intuition and knowledge should keep us from sliding too far, meaning from nationalism and patriotism into chauvinism.

If we have to join the army, there is only one reason to do so; and that is because the country needs the soldiers to defend it. It is here that patriotism comes in. No other reason is required.

But chauvinism is completely different. According to their belief, there is no other country on earth but theirs, no other race of man but theirs, and no created beings besides them have any knowledge or science whatsoever.

There were many examples throughout the history when national patriotism was transformed into chauvinism. Until the middle of the nineteenth century the Japanese closed their ports to foreign trade. Western nations demanded the right to trade. The Japanese refused to concede. French, American, Dutch and British forces bombarded Japanese ports and within a few days the Japanese navy was routed. Japan conceded all the demands and opened its ports. The Japanese did not take the defeat lying down. The Japanese accepted that the west was far more advanced. The chauvinist ideology was forgotten. The Japanese have since emerged as the second largest economy on earth. The Japanese have also improved physically. The average height of a 21-year old Japanese has increased by 20 cms post Second World War. This additional height is jokingly referred to as "hamburger height" since it is attributed to the Japanese change to American food habits.