Spencer Case, an assistant teaching professor at Bowling Green State University and host of the Micro-Digressions podcast, discusses the fine line between patriotism and nationalism. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive form of patriotism that fosters inclusivity rather than exclusion. The conversation explores the moral complexities tied to nationalism, as well as the potential dangers of extremism. Additionally, they dive into the philosophical implications of identity politics, especially concerning trans rights, urging a more compassionate understanding.
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Patriotism and Self-Transcendence
Patriotism, often seen as prejudice, can foster self-transcendence, prioritizing national good over personal interests.
Like other forms of love, patriotism can expand sympathy, enabling greater understanding of others' national pride.
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The Duality of Patriotism
Patriotism and nationalism, though distinct, are empirically linked, with patriotism potentially escalating into harmful nationalism.
Maintaining a healthy patriotism requires conscious effort, acknowledging its potential for negative consequences.
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American Identity
American identity isn't solely based on ethnicity or shared ideas but on commitment to a collective political project.
Cultural affinity and institutional commitment combine to create a sense of belonging, which can be shared across diverse backgrounds.
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Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure
Yascha Mounk
In *The Great Experiment*, Yascha Mounk explores the challenges of creating diverse and equal democracies, arguing that achieving this goal is central to the democratic project. Drawing on history, social psychology, and comparative politics, Mounk offers a hopeful vision for bridging societal divides and building a more inclusive future. The book is praised for its profound understanding and practical suggestions for mitigating conflicts over race and identity.
Is Morality Real? A Debate
Is Morality Real? A Debate
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Spencer Case
Imagined Communities
Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism
Benedict Anderson
In 'Imagined Communities,' Benedict Anderson examines the historical rise and development of nationalism. He argues that nations are not ancient communities but rather modern constructs, imagined by their members as a shared, limited, and sovereign community. Anderson traces the emergence of nationalism to the Americas in the 18th and 19th centuries, where creole elites and the spread of print capitalism played crucial roles. He also discusses how nationalism filled the void left by the decline of religious communities and how it was shaped by factors such as mass vernacular literacy, the abolition of divine right monarchies, and the standardization of national calendars, clocks, and languages. The book is influential in social sciences and has been widely cited and translated into more than thirty languages.
Editor’s Note: This podcast was produced as part of Persuasion’s partnership with the Civil Discourse @ MIT program, at which Spencer Case spoke late last year on the topic “Does Citizenship Require Patriotism?” To learn more about Civil Discourse @ MIT, visit the program’s website here, and to see prior episodes in the series click here.
Spencer Case hosts Micro-Digressions: A Philosophy Podcast. He's the author of many academic philosophy articles and coauthor of IsMorality Real? A Debate. He is currently an assistant teaching professor in the Bowling Green State University philosophy department.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Spencer Case explore the difference between patriotism and nationalism, what extremists get wrong, and how to think about self-identification in the debate about trans rights.
The Good Fight 
