For example, a 2011 study in Psychological Science looked at 31 countries, and found that national pride significantly predicts well-being.

And we will all be happier for it.Ī number of scholars have studied the link between patriotism and happiness, and have found that it is strongly positive.

On the contrary, I think a healthy patriotism can make a comeback all along the ideological spectrum. I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet, however. Populism and demographic tribalism are on the rise worldwide. Political division is ever more toxic seemingly the only thing both sides can agree on is that their country’s ideals and institutions are a sham. No matter where you live, patriotism can be a thorny subject. In 2003, 69 percent said they were “extremely proud” last year, 42 percent did. This deterioration is especially dramatic right now, but it’s been going on for almost two decades. These threats have failed to bring out the happy patriot in us: Gallup found a seven-point drop in the percentage of Americans who said they were “extremely proud” or “very proud” to be an American from 2019 to 2020. Nearly 250 years later, few would argue that the United States has not recently seen adversity, including extreme political polarization, civil unrest, the coronavirus, and more. A happy patriot, in his view, was one who drew strength and joy even from the nation-especially under adverse circumstances. It was December 1776, shortly after the onset of the war for independence, and Paine was contemplating the purpose and promise of patriotism in building a new nation free of British overreach.

“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection,” Thomas Paine wrote in his pamphlet series The American Crisis. “ How to Build a Life ” is a weekly column by Arthur Brooks, tackling questions of meaning and happiness.

George orwell nationalism