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Patrick’s Day, Patriotism and Politics
Read more about: Blogging, Fianna Fail, Government, Irish Politics, Sinn Féin
Tomorrow, we – the Irish – celebrate our national holiday. Tomorrow, we – the Irish – reinforce our national stereotype. Tomorrow, we – the Irish – underpin our established religion, our nationalism, our patriotism. As the city centre prepares to be flooded with booze, barf and emerald green, perhaps it is appropriate that we
now reflect on patriotism, and - given the outlet - what it means politically.
Roisin Ingle complained recently that she didn’t understand how or why anybody would feel patriotic; that its foundations are irrational. Why love your native country more than a foreign country solely because you were born there? To the rationalist, patriotism is a lot like religion; it doesn’t seem to make sense to identify with a flag, a history and a culture which you haven’t even chosen, just as adhering to an almost unsupported faith - usually past on by family and culture – makes little sense. Much as it seems irrational, people continue to believe in God and gods, and so many will continue to identify with their native land. Personally, I’m proud of value systems; rights and responsibilities, law and order, due process etc. In short though, I think it’s an entirely personal matter, so I won’t censure anyone for falling on one side of the matter or the other, as long as they respect other people’s rights to do otherwise. None of this, “last refuge of a scoundrel”, claptrap; not here and now.
Although seemingly irrational, there are, of course, advantages brought by patriotism. Most humans long to identify, to associate and to clump together. In fact, we are the only species to seek interaction for interaction’s sake. That such desires are fulfilled is, in itself, a good thing, the countless benefits which subsequently split-off from this fulfilment – sporting and cultural togetherment, general camaraderie and the sense of an extended home - are, again, good things – as benefits tend to be.
However. Weeks ago, a group associated with Unionism arrived in Dublin to highlight deaths, murders and slayings of Protestants at the hands of the IRA. There efforts were discontinued by violent, drunken, bestial hooligans, posing as nationalists, fighting to “Stop the Brits”. To most, this was outrageous, unacceptable behaviour; yet there still remain many who believe that, at the very least, they had some excuse for doing so. These, vague though they are, constitute a group of people who will consider nationalism and patriotism when they vote; their fingers, not those of the rioting thugs, represent the fingers that Fianna Fáil would like to lure away from that Sinn Féin ticket at the ballot box. Enter 1916, enter military attire and enter zealous remembrance. The wisdom, morality and principles of the Rising continue to come under constant scrutiny throughout Irish intellectual life, our government has decided that it would be better to take possession of the Rebellion. In some respects, patriotism exists; in others, cynicism is the order of the day. As a passionate anti-Sinn Féin man, the government are right, in practice, to nick the Rising; in principle – which, as a mere Leaving Cert student, triumphs – I think Irish military revelry goes too far, way too far. Better solemn though and intellectual debate – as seen in UCC - on the issue, than boots, pockets and general uniform.
That widespread patriotism leads a government to overlook such principles – my principles; in fairness - in order to keep influence from an undesirable political party is, I think, the first immediate downfall of patriotism. That it can be abused with such ease, by anybody, is the second, and far more relevant – and worrying – on the subject of elections. I mentioned earlier that patriotism, and the like, is an entirely personal issue; I suppose the paradox of it though, is that it – this entirely personal matter - usually becomes so monotonously widespread that the collective can be manipulated.
I’m a man who enjoys a paradox now and again, so I’ll drink to it tomorrow. To everyone, lumpen proletariat or otherwise, enjoy St. Patrick’s Day.
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