Chen Dan: Patriotism in British Society
Patriotism is a global spiritual phenomenon, yet it manifests with significant differences across countries. Even within the United Kingdom, mainstream politicians, scholars, and the general public hold differing attitudes and positions toward patriotism.
I. The View of Patriotism Among British Politicians
Patriotism is a relatively sensitive topic in the UK. The British government’s attitude toward patriotism is somewhat ambiguous and, at times, even self-contradictory. However, relevant laws, regulations, policies, and leaders' speeches all indicate that the British government and mainstream politicians attach great importance to fostering a sense of national identity and belonging among citizens; in certain special circumstances, they explicitly advocate and promote patriotism.
Cultivating a sense of national belonging and loyalty to the head of state is a basic requirement of British laws, regulations, and related policies. In the UK, numerous legal statutes and policies contain explicit provisions regarding national identity, belonging, and other issues related to patriotism. For instance, the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 stipulates that anyone applying for British citizenship must demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of the UK's language, culture, nation, and way of life. After meeting these conditions, applicants must pass a test to demonstrate common knowledge of daily life in the UK, the political and legal systems, employment, equality, fairness, and justice. Among these, the level of understanding and mastery of language and culture is considered a key factor in measuring whether a national identity has been formed. In 2004, the British government began implementing a policy of citizenship ceremonies for new citizens, providing scripts for the oath of allegiance that require initiates to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, and to be loyal to the United Kingdom. David Blunkett, the then-Home Secretary, explained: "The reason for holding citizenship ceremonies is to make the status of British citizen feel sacred and solemn, rather than a mere administrative procedure." Furthermore, on March 12, 2008, the British government introduced a new education policy requiring all British graduates to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen and the country upon leaving school, demanding that schools enhance students' sense of national belonging as a means of strengthening patriotic education for young people.
The frequent occurrence of terrorist attacks is one reason why British politicians pay high attention to and emphasize patriotism-related issues. At the beginning of the 21st century, the "September 11" attacks in the United States shocked the world. Subsequently, several terrorist attacks occurred within the UK. For example, on July 7, 2005, multiple bombings occurred on the London Underground, sparking widespread concern and intense discussion in British society. In the view of British officials, the reason such ethnic and religious contradictions emerged and led to violent conflict was the failure to form a unified British national identity. Government officials subsequently delivered a series of speeches emphasizing the importance of national unity. For instance, when Gordon Brown delivered his first public speech as British Prime Minister in 2006, he called for national unity and proposed that the UK should hold annual promotional and celebratory activities regarding British national identity at a fixed time. He believed that in a country like the UK, which possesses numerous ethnic groups and religious beliefs, it is essential for citizens to have a unified national identity. Therefore, the government would take further measures to strengthen the sense of national honor and belonging among British citizens. This indicates that, in the eyes of British politicians, strengthening education on national identity is both necessary and urgent.
In recent years, some Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Labour Party have actively advocated using patriotism to safeguard the party's image and called for the Labour Party to appear more patriotic. The Labour Party is one of the two major governing parties in the UK, but its support in British society has shown a downward trend in recent years, with the number of Labour MPs continuously decreasing. To preserve the Labour Party's long-standing position, some politicians have turned their focus to patriotism. For example, Labour politician Rebecca Long Bailey proposed in December 2019 to gradually awaken the patriotic sentiments of the working class. She pointed out: "The British working class has a long traditional history of patriotism, an emotion built upon solidarity and pride in the common interest and common life of everyone... Therefore, for the Labour Party to win, we must restore this progressive patriotism and spirit of solidarity in a form suitable for modern Britain." Labour MP Liam Byrne argues that patriotism is a spiritual bond that can enhance mutual connection, promote unity and cooperation, and reduce conflict and violence. Thus, to achieve victory in elections, it is necessary for the Labour Party to cultivate and stimulate people's patriotic sentiments and leverage its role in coalescing public support. To recover lost parliamentary seats and enhance the party’s credibility, Labour MP John Healey noted: "We cannot ignore the power of the land and patriotism. When countries around the world are increasingly divided and our sense of belonging is sharply affected, our towns and our country become even more important. The most successful practices of left-wing groups have all embodied the sentiment and purpose of serving and loving the country."
However, some left-wing Labour politicians previously adopted a stance of avoidance or opposition toward patriotism-related topics and activities. In their view, patriotism is either meaningless—an irrational emotion formed toward one’s place of birth—or dangerous, triggering bellicose or xenophobic sentiments and behaviors. This attitude has been criticized by many politicians, scholars, and media figures. For example, the great British writer George Orwell [1] once criticized left-wing intellectuals for their ignorance of patriotic sentiment and argued that patriotism itself possesses extraordinary power and is indispensable for an increasingly interconnected society. In February 2021, Sunder Katwala, head of the "British Future" think tank, publicly refuted the view held by some left-wing Labour figures that patriotism is dangerous. He emphasized that patriotism is an indispensable means of promoting national stability and development, and advised left-wing politicians to accept this trend as soon as possible. Under external pressure and the need to seek their own development, the Labour Party has paid increasing attention to patriotism and once planned to incorporate patriotic elements, including the hanging of the national flag, into a political campaign.
As seen above, the British government and mainstream political circles generally hold an affirmative and supportive attitude toward patriotism. As Katwala remarked: Although the British "government clamors to build Britain into an international power that firmly defends human rights and plays an important role on the world stage, they still expect school curricula to pay more attention to Britain’s own history rather than world history, believing that British children need to understand the country's history before they can accurately grasp Britain's status and role in the world. For Britain, it is more important to look inward." In short, there is a consensus among the British government and mainstream politicians regarding the importance of patriotism. They demonstrate, through policy arrangements and specific measures, either overtly or covertly, their intention to utilize patriotism to maintain national unity and stability.
II. The View of Patriotism Among British Scholars, School Teachers, and Parts of the Media
In the UK, most scholars hold a cautious or even negative attitude toward patriotism and patriotic education. In fact, patriotism has sparked intense debate in British academia, particularly concerning the advocacy of patriotic education in schools, which has received extensive attention in the field of the philosophy of education.
British academia has not reached a consensus on whether patriotic education is legitimate. Although scholars recognize that cultivating patriotic sentiment functions to enhance social cohesion, many still harbor concerns and doubts, primarily focusing on the potential negative impacts. For example, Michael Hand and Joanne Pearce point out that conducting patriotic education for students may lead them to believe certain false or exaggerated propaganda and rhetoric, and that promoting patriotism could be detrimental to students of non-British nationality. They state: "Patriotism seems to be something exclusive to white people who are British; when we discuss the attributes and characteristics that constitute being 'British,' it easily leads to ethnic divisions." Bruce Carrington and Geoffrey Short also advocate that "children should be encouraged to reject blind loyalty to the state." Alison Jeffers, after studying the citizenship ceremonies for new British citizens, found that while new citizens appearing at the ceremonies seem enthusiastic, the loyalty they pledge may not be sincere. Other scholars argue that students have no obligation to become patriots; patriotic education belongs to the realm of affective education [2], and it is not necessarily legitimate for schools to guide students' patriotic emotions. They argue it is illegitimate for schools to influence students' emotional experiences through means such as psychological control.
Scholars suggest that schools should treat and discuss the topic of patriotism with caution, with Michael Hand’s perspective being the most representative. He believes that as educators, our duty is not to provide a definitive answer in discussions about patriotism, but rather to allow students to understand and master the pros and cons of patriotic sentiments or behaviors as much as possible, encouraging them to learn how to handle and respond to patriotism-related issues in their emotional lives. In response, some scholars suggest that schools should teach patriotism as a "controversial issue" and offer ten recommendations for teachers: give the theme of patriotism normal attention without deliberate avoidance; respond actively to students' questions about patriotism; help students recognize the reasons people oppose or support patriotism and let them form their own judgments; challenge students’ conformist views by providing examples or presenting opposing perspectives; correct students’ misconceptions about patriotism; maintain sensitivity toward the topic, paying timely attention to students' emotions and the classroom atmosphere, and adjusting conflicts or interrupting discussions as appropriate; maintain neutrality without pre-establishing a stance on patriotism; pay attention to one's own tone of voice, body language, and students' daily behavior to prevent conveying incorrect messages; guide students to learn to control their emotions and view the emotional experience of patriotism correctly; and pay attention to the possibility of multiple patriotic sentiments, as students may develop a sense of identity and belonging toward multiple national communities. These recommendations aim to encourage teachers to adopt a prudent approach toward patriotism and keep related discussions within a rational scope. Surveys indicate that the aforementioned suggestions have been endorsed by the majority of scholars, teachers, and students. Clearly, the approach favored by scholars is to teach and discuss patriotism as a controversial topic, allowing students to know the basic viewpoints of both advocates and opponents of patriotism and, on this basis, allowing students to make their own judgments.
Primary and secondary school teachers largely adopt an attitude of avoidance or indifference toward topics related to patriotism. For example, when Terry Haydn conducted a survey in 1999 regarding whether history teachers should teach values and value positions in their curriculum, and whether they should foster a sense of pride in being British through their courses, the majority of teachers gave negative responses. In 2009, research by Gary Clemitshaw and Lee Jerome showed that both citizenship education and history teachers expressed strong skepticism toward the idea of cultivating "Britishness" and core British values. They also found that many teachers did not teach content regarding British identity and values in the manner expected by the government. Generally speaking, primary and secondary school teachers adopt four approaches to patriotic education: avoiding the topic in the classroom or placing it in a "safe zone" if students mention it; taking a neutral stance and discussing patriotism as a controversial or open question; actively promoting patriotic sentiments; or using rational and irrational methods to discourage patriotism. In recent years, under the advocacy of the British government, attitudes toward patriotic education among primary and secondary school teachers have undergone some changes. For instance, the Western Mail reported that in 2021, the British government vigorously advocated for schools to strengthen patriotic education, especially promoting commemorative activities for "One Britain, One Nation," aimed at inspiring students and teachers to focus on patriotic topics and enhance their sense of national identity. This activity received support and recognition from some teachers and students in Welsh secondary schools.
Furthermore, some British media outlets remain reserved toward patriotism. For instance, Guardian commentator Gary Younge has called for us to recognize and answer the question of "what it really means to be British" for ourselves, rather than relying on official explanations. He pointed out that regarding British identity, our focus should not be on whether British people possess traits like cleverness, but rather on their resilience in fighting for equality and dignity. Generally, however, patriotism does not encompass these elements. Instead, patriotism is an expression of "devotion to and vigorous support for one's country," and of reverence for the national flag, national anthem, and military parades. Overall, some British media outlets hold reservations about the practice of the state providing a unified interpretation of and advocating for patriotism.
III. The Patriotic Views of Ordinary British People
For ordinary British people, patriotism is a relatively private and subtle topic. They rarely talk about or express patriotic feelings in public, nor do they treat patriotism as a sacred topic for discussion to regulate their own speech and behavior. Nonetheless, ordinary British people still have their own unique ways of expressing patriotic sentiments; their patriotic feelings are stimulated especially on specific occasions and at certain events, such as the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and Remembrance Day [3].
Ordinary British people seldom express their patriotic sentiments openly in public. A 2018 survey showed that they are increasingly afraid to express their patriotic feelings in public for fear of being mocked or despised. Respondents admitted that British national pride is declining by the day; the younger generation, in particular, cares less and less about patriotism, and their indifference toward patriotic sentiments has reached a historic low. Approximately 79% of respondents admitted to being patriotic to some extent; 22% stated they would feel embarrassed expressing patriotic feelings in public; some also admitted they would only truly reveal or display their patriotic feelings when major national events stimulated national pride. Viewed by age group, older British people are more patriotic than the younger generation: about 40% of Britons aged 55 and over described themselves as very patriotic, while this proportion was 18% among those aged 18 to 24. Younger groups believe that patriotism is not important in today's society. Greg Tatton Brown, who was responsible for the survey, pointed out that "when people are deep in today's political and cultural environment, especially in the face of Brexit, publicly expressing pride in one's country has become a gray area that everyone is reluctant to touch."
There are regional and ethnic differences in the identification with the "British" identity among ordinary people. The United Kingdom is composed of four parts—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—and there are ethnic and religious differences between regions, leading to varying identities among the populace. For example, a 2002 survey found that when British nationals were asked whether they were Welsh, English, Irish, or British, different regions gave different answers. In Wales, 80% (of those born in Wales) considered themselves Welsh rather than British; in England, this proportion (those considering themselves English) was 15%. However, this difference was not so significant at the beginning; it is related to the development of each region and the overall environment of the United Kingdom. Around the 1930s, for many British people, "England" and "Britain" (the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) referred to the same thing, and the English never needed to spend time explaining the difference between the two. This ambiguity of identity lasted until after World War II. Although differences in identity exist, this does not affect the pride that people in various regions feel for the "British" identity. Surveys show that about 79% of respondents admit to being patriotic to some degree, and 90% of them are proud of their place of birth. Recent research also indicates that more than three-quarters of British ethnic minority groups and a similar proportion of the white British population feel proud of their identity as British. Moreover, this sense of pride is sometimes reflected in the public's attitude toward the history of the British Empire. For a long time, the UK has found it difficult to evaluate the merits and demerits of its imperial period, but most British people hold a positive attitude toward this history. A 2014 YouGov poll showed that 59% of British people believed the British Empire was something to be proud of rather than ashamed of (the proportion of those feeling ashamed was 19%).
In addition, although ordinary British people appear relatively low-key in terms of patriotic sentiments and identity, it is undeniable that they still consciously or unconsciously express and present their patriotism through specific carriers or forms, especially at specific times and occasions. A media figure once admitted, "Many of us actually love our country very much, but this patriotic feeling only shows at specific times." For instance, in the 1940s, World War II caused a surge in patriotic sentiment among British people, and the people were united as never before. Surveys also show that many British people reveal patriotic sentiments more naturally during sporting events; the atmosphere of sports competition and teamwork makes it easier for people to accept and face their inner patriotic feelings. For example, the 2012 London Olympics stimulated the "sleeping" patriotic feelings in the hearts of the British public; nearly 27 million British people watched the opening ceremony, and BBC One, which broadcast the event, achieved very high ratings. Danny Cohen, then-controller of BBC One, said in an interview: "The live broadcast of the Olympic opening ceremony on BBC One united our country at this major moment as never before. It is heartening that such a massive audience watched last night's opening ceremony." Furthermore, British patriotic sentiment is also hidden in daily life, reflected in specific feelings (affection, pride) for things with British characteristics or iconic status, or in supporting British-made products or brands. Surveys show that among approximately 2,000 respondents, about 50% own various items printed with the national flag, 7% have tattoos of the national flag, patron saints, or other national symbols, and 48% want the national flag to be flown in the area where they live.
British people's patriotic sentiments are also contained within their concern and anxiety for the future and destiny of the country. In times of peace, the generation of patriotic sentiment depends on internal unity and stability, but the current domestic situation in the UK is not optimistic. Especially after the 2017 general election, the sense of national identity among British people has been greatly affected. Some scholars point out that in Northern Ireland, even Unionists feel deeply disappointed by the Conservative Party's Brexit measures. In fact, Brexit has accelerated the tendency toward regional political parties and national independence; Gary Younge wrote, "We might become smaller and smaller." Therefore, "from a pragmatic perspective, if I had shares in patriotism, I would choose to sell rather than buy." The performance of the British government during the COVID-19 pandemic has further stimulated concern, and even anxiety, about the country's future and destiny. According to a report by the Daily Mail on December 23, 2020, the well-known polling agency JL Partners conducted an online survey on the theme of "which of the last eight Prime Ministers would you want to solve the crisis the UK faces in 2020," with about 2,000 respondents. The results showed that Margaret Thatcher had the highest support (32%). By comparison, the British public felt very disappointed with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. As James Johnson, one of the founders of JL Partners, pointed out: "Current British politicians have not made deliberate decisions, have not insisted on doing the right thing, and have not taken on the responsibility of leaders. In the last election, many voters placed new expectations on Boris Johnson, believing him to be a leader who could change the status quo. Now, this hope has been dashed; in their eyes, Boris is weak, cowardly, and indecisive." It is not difficult to see that the credibility of the current British government faces great challenges. The public is full of concern about the current state and future of British society and has turned to hoping for a decisive, tough, and practical politician like Thatcher to change Britain's destiny.
In conclusion, patriotism is a relatively controversial topic in the United Kingdom. Mainstream British politicians, scholars, and the general public hold different views and positions: the British government and mainstream political circles attach great importance to cultivating national identity and patriotic sentiment; British scholars and media commentators hold cautious attitudes and views toward patriotism; and while ordinary British people rarely express their patriotic feelings in public, such feelings are sometimes contained within their concern and anxiety for the country's future and destiny, and are stimulated on specific occasions and at certain times.