Chauvinism and Patriotism in 22 Countries
Questionnaire data derived from the 1995 module of the International Social Survey Program are drawn on to examine two dimensions of nationalist attitudes -- chauvinism & patriotism -- in 22 countries. Patriotism is the feeling of pride in one's people & country but with a critical understanding that can allow for other viewpoints & other peoples. Chauvinism, on the other hand, denotes blind acceptance of one's country & people as unique & superior. This latter, negative form of nationalism is likely to promote rejection of ethnic outgroups. Varying degrees of these two nationalist attitudes were found among the 22 countries, theorized to be mediated by ethnic competition, localistic orientation, contextual characteristics, & perceived ethnic threat. Cross-national analyses indicate a distinction between a country's patriotic vs chauvinistic nationalist attitudes in determining acceptance of ethnic outgroups. Tables, Figures. J. Stanton