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National pride - What's your reason?



National pride is one common factor that binds all its citizens together. 

The definition of the word says:
Patriotism or national pride is the feeling of love, devotion, and sense of attachment to a homeland and alliance with other citizens who share the same sentiment.

Why do we indulge in it? Simply because it makes us feel happy, to see positive change. Makes us feel happy to see collective progress as a large group of people unanimously feel the same sentiment. It also validates the feeling of Collectivism.

But do we wonder what is the cause of national pride for different countries?

Some nations have been built over the years and dramatically transformed into great civic countries. They enjoy a sense of civic pride. At the same time, there are countries where there are more reasons to feel proud of ethnicity and history than civic developments. It is important to understand what is the reason for our national pride. Are we having all the right reasons?

I am reflecting on how News, Influencers' views, and corporations are making us feel proud of our respective countries in the version that benefits them.
If we dig deeper and figure out what are the main personal reasons for our national pride, we would be able to put a thing or two into perspective about what patriotism means to us. Although there are studies that attempt to prove that civic reasons are giving citizens more happiness and contentedness for pride over continuous development. On the other hand, ethnic reasons are more grounded in history and make us feel proud of our rich past. 

Singapore is proud of racial Harmony as much as it's proud of economic development and progress.
Some European countries primarily pride the rich culture, achievements in Arts, and Literature. 
In the US primarily citizens are proud of Economic developments and global influence.
India is proud of cultural diversity and heritage
Some countries are largely proud of how democracy works for them while some countries have other reasons.

To each to their own! While it's important and popular to express critique isn't it a refreshing idea to remind us of why we are proud too. It is worthwhile to take a deeper look into the reasons for our national pride and ensure it consists of elements, both, Ethnic and Civic. 

Eventually, what we are looking for is happiness and this form of happiness comes from feeling the love for a nation unanimously with everyone around you. It's proven by data that civic reasons can bring us more happiness. That is probably due to its "continuous" nature and distinct scope of improvement that we can look forward to. Anyone who feels proud of the nation has the right to join in and share the sentiment. It doesnt need you to have ethnic roots to share the common feeling.  

While on the other hand, with globalization challenging ethnic grouping, there is diversification around all of us creating a greater mix and boundaries getting thinner.

Why are you proud? Maybe we can give it a thought and list down your reasons. 
That would be something passed on to the next generations!


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