Nationalism and patriotism are often used interchangeably to describe a love for one’s country, but there are some differences between the two concepts:
Definition: Nationalism is an ideology that emphasizes the importance of national identity, sovereignty, and self-determination. It can be a political movement that seeks to promote the interests of a particular nation or group of people. Patriotism, on the other hand, is a feeling of love, loyalty, and devotion to one’s country.
Focus: Nationalism tends to focus on the interests of one’s own country above all else, while patriotism focuses on the love and devotion to one’s country, but without necessarily placing it above all other concerns.
Connotations: Nationalism can have negative connotations, as it has been associated with xenophobia (a fear or hatred of foreign people and cultures), aggression, and a disregard for the rights of other nations. Patriotism, on the other hand, is generally seen as a positive attribute, as it emphasizes a love for one’s country without necessarily denigrating other nations.
Attitude: Nationalism tends to emphasize a more militant and aggressive attitude towards other nations, while patriotism is more focused on the love and devotion to one’s country without necessarily being hostile to others.
So while there is some overlap between the concepts of nationalism and patriotism, nationalism tends to be more focused on the interests of one’s own country and can have negative connotations, while patriotism is more focused on love and devotion to one’s country and is generally seen as a positive attribute.