Tribalism allows for the manipulation of militarism and patriotism. Through the tactic of creating a sense of being under attack and blaming pacifists for lack of patriotism and endangering the nation, people can easily be rallied to defend their country.
Patriotism is defined as “the love, devotion and sense of attachment to a homeland and alliance with other citizens who feel the same.” It’s a term that goes all the way back to the Greek word “patrios,” meaning, “of one’s father.” In and of itself, attachment to one’s ancestors seems unproblematic. Ethical questions arise for me when patriotism evolves into its modern form – militarized and nationalistic. In the late 18th century, patriotism became more exclusionary, tribal, and chauvinistic.