Patriotism

It seems to me that all wars originate from the worship of something, be it your country, your religion or your neighbor's land. The Dispossessed by Ursala le Guin refined my view of patriotism in particular. Though she agrees that absolute love of your country can inspire war, love of your country  and a feeling of home is harmless and probably healthy. De Tocqueville discusses this brand of patriotism says that Americans don't have it, and introduces a third brand which neither Ursala nor I had considered--a kind of creator's pride combined with activism--that I hear from a lot of people who call themselves patriotic. It doesn't mean supporting the current government, just a belief in your ability to change it.