Is a degree of patriotism necessary to ensure a societies survival?

No. I think a degree of civility and empathy are necessary, though.

I’d relegate patriotism more toward someone’s passion about their nation and less toward survival of a society. In the latter case, I think having instincts for preservation, security, cooperation, intelligence, compassion, determination, and resolve would all be good characteristics for society’s survival.

sure

not if we all one one big earthy happy family…no… which is what peace on earth is isn’t it???

@boots What degree of civility and empathy? Should there not be a resolve to defend the society and it’s values if its survival is to be secured?
@Bluefreedom Does patriotism not inevitably follow as a result of the traits you describe? If a human lives securely amongst a society in which they care for and co-operate with the populants will a feeling of pride (and dare I say a potential sense of superiority) in being an element of this society not arise?
@oneword You stay true to your name friend. Would you care to elaborate on your answer please?
@lynneblundell Is it reasonably plausible for humans to live as one community upon Earth? Does human nature permit this?
Forgive the mass inquisition friends, understanding the complexities of others arguments helps me develop mine more thoroughly or in general.

@Nially_Bob. You worded your response exceedingly well and so much so that I can see where your determination of patriotism being necessary to the survival of society is definitely viable. I’m of the opinion, however, that it would just follow after or become more relevant after all the other elements took place like in my original answer.

@Bluefreedom I concur, it should not be assumed that because patriotism is a product of other feelings experienced by a societies populants it is not necessarily diminished in importance to said societies survival but whether this role is indeed played by patriotism remains debatable. The strong sense of nationalism that has been present amongst the most powerful nations throughout history does seem to indicate such no?

Could you please rephrase your last question for me because I’m not comprehending exactly what your looking for. Thanks.

@Bluefreedom My apologies, I have not slept in some time :)
Do you believe that the strong sense of nationalism that has been evident amongst the worlds greatest civilisations is substantial evidence of the power that patriotism possesses in ensuring a societies survival?

@Nially_Bob. I certainly do believe that and once again you have worded your answer very well. Nicely done.

It is only necessary after you have been attacked

@Nially_Bob Well the same degree of patriotism you were speaking of. Also, civility and empathy have nothing to do with defense. You can be both civil and empathetic and still defend your country without patriotism.

Yes, but we also need solidarity between nations and international understanding.

I would think so because any entity, government or institution has to have as its foundation those who will defend it and/or its principles. Of course that’s not to say we should not all work to find common ground.

In an evolutionary sense, a group sense of unity would have once been necessary to survival in the case of threats froms predators, etc.

Today, I think it helps to affiliate oneself with a nation, as one’s human rights are unfortunately harder to enforce and protect if they are nationless – as in the case of refugees and displaced peoples.

But a society, and the individuals within it, can, I believe, survive quite easily these days without group patriotism.

No.

I think “patriotism” is every bit as subjective as “a favorite color”. This is why patriotism can help in the formation of a country. It is also how it can actually harm a society’s chance at survival.

Patriotism is loving your country, but a lot of people have different definitions of what comprises their “country”. To some, as evidenced at the beginning of the Iraq War, if you don’t support your president then you are unpatriotic. These people think of their government as their country. To me, my country is made up of my neighbors, my friends, my community, my church, my little league baseball teams, and my friggin local library! And every other American trying to live life and pursue happiness with his or her family across this great nation. Then again, I feel the same way for human beings all over the globe. So am I patriotic? I love my country and its history and culture. But do I wish it well over the well-being of any other group of people. No. So maybe the answer to your question is yes. Because you have to have love for your “country” to do good for it, to care for it, and not just for yourself.

For what reason in the world would you be loving a country? I understand loving a culture, which is close, but a country?

Patiotism, nationalism, jingoism. These are tools to ensure loyalty fed by fears and antipathy. It is modern machiavellianism, if that is a word. The national state can be traced as a modern creation – 361 years ago – to the peace treaty of Westphal. One people, one culture, one territory. The national state was created out of preexistent ethnic puzzles. Now today, we believe in many countries to be one country, one people, one culture. In the old days it was not so. The nation is a tribal entity, but it is not formed by choice of the peoples in it, but in the macro level. The creation of the national state is one of many preconditions to our way of democracy, but it is nothing more than you believe it to be. Patriotism has no meaning other than to ensure that you will go fight wars that really doesn’t really have anything to do with anything of significance in life other than to the people in power and your fears. In these times, patriotism is also used to make you buy your countries products in favor of others, claiming they are of higher quality, and you believe them and pay a higher price, because, in the end you are a patriot. If you are a part of your community, you won’t need patriotism. Its quite telling that the people most screaming about patriotism often are people with problematic ties to their communities. In the end it is not worth much. In a society, commitment to people around you, that is the only thing that is worth a damn.