Patriotism, Populism, and Reactionary Politics since 9.11

Abstract

This chapter identifies and examines the patterns of patriotism in the period after the attacks of September 11, 2001. In broad psychosocial terms, these patterns were initially characteristic of wartime patriotism throughout US history. They revolved around fear and aggression, in-group loyalty and racial and religious exclusion, suppression of dissent, and deference to authority that tolerated violations of human rights and civil liberties. Gestures of patriotic solidarity ranged from ritual honoring of flag and troops to interfaith gatherings and antiwar demonstrations. What has emerged in the USA and much of Europe through the subsequent experience of war, immigration, terrorist attacks, and growing economic polarization is populist and reactionary movements that have superimposed sharply opposing forms of patriotism on conflicting responses to this experience.