Tag: Patriotism

Oct 2021. The State of the UK

Decisions made by managers at the DVLA driving licence body have meant a “catastrophic” processing backlog of 1.4 million cases, a union says. Mark Serwotka, head of the Public and Commercial Services union, said if staff were allowed to work from home the backlog could be reduced. He told Transport Committee MPs other members of… Continue reading Oct 2021. The State of the UK

Patriotism Part 28

A recent YouGov survey reveals the scale that patriotism is waning in Britain. British people may become more patriotic as they grow older, but 18-24 year-olds are so much less as likely than over-60s to be ‘very’ patriotic (15% compared to 49%) that even if a significant proportion of the younger generation turn proud in… Continue reading Patriotism Part 28

Patriotism Part 27

Britain may briefly have felt patriotic in 2012, when Jubilee parties and the London Olympics stirred a dormant pride, but even in the past decade there’s been a significant drop in patriotism, and when YouGov tested the nation on the ‘Life in the UK’ exam that all aspiring immigrants must pass to gain citizenship, 51%… Continue reading Patriotism Part 27

The Battle of Britain

71 Squadron pilots run to their planes. These Americans are members of the RAF's first "Eagle" squadron. Running to their planes (L to R) Pete Provenzano, Eugene Tobin, Sam Maurillo, and Luke Allen.

I watched the film ‘The Battle of Britain’ earlier on. I don’t want to encourage War, it’s a Horrible Bloody thing and a failure of our politicians if/when it happens. But I watched that film and I thought about the Youth that we have nowadays! Most of the pilots that fought the Battle of Britain… Continue reading The Battle of Britain

Patriotism Part 26

The Commonwealth gets very little political attention – it was deliberately ignored by New Labour, yet it has more shared history and values than an artificial institution such as the EU. Every Brit trusts a New Zealander or Canadian or South African. When I edited Reader’s Digest, I uncovered a wealth of untapped patriotism among… Continue reading Patriotism Part 26

Patriotism Part 24

We can have good reasons for being patriotic towards our country and people. British patriotism, arising from empiricism, can help us, individually and as a country, to be prosperous in a competitive world, safe in a dangerous world and happier, comfortable with ourselves and at peace with each other.  Indeed the Best of British can… Continue reading Patriotism Part 24

Patriotism Part 23

Idealism as a basis for nationalism or anything else is potentially dangerous because there is little or no reality check. Thus, things can be manipulated to extremes, by for example the unscrupulous or deluded. Typical consequences include jingoism (aggressive or warlike foreign policy), xenophobia intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries)… Continue reading Patriotism Part 23

Patriotism Part 22

Underlying patriotism generally is a philosophy of reality and knowledge.  Patriotism can be founded on empiricism, where knowledge comes from experience and fact, or on idealism, where reality is largely a creation of the mind.  Empiricism acts as a reality and humanity check, and making patriotism outward looking towards also seeing and learning from the… Continue reading Patriotism Part 22

Patriotism Part 21

Patriotism can provide us with inspiration for creativity, innovation and perseverance.  One way is through incorporation of existing elements from our national culture into art, music, literature etc., or in developing a unique national style.  But inspiration can also arise from other activities, not least from existing acts of bravery or defying omnipotent power.  Re-discovery… Continue reading Patriotism Part 21