American patriotism is at a historic low. Gallup polls show fewer and fewer Americans say they feel “extremely” – or even “very” proud to be American. When you dig into the polling data on patriotism, you find significant differences depending on political party, racial identity and age. Why are some groups of Americans much less likely to tell posters they’re proud to be American? And does it really even matter to the nation’s health? On the one hand, national pride seems to have a worrisome way of sliding into nationalism and protecting our own interests at the expense of others.

At the same time, research clearly shows that people who feel pride in their country are more likely to vote, write their members of Congress, and volunteer in their communities. Meanwhile, expressions of patriotism—flying the flag, standing for the anthem—have become divisive flashpoints that leave many Americans unsure what even means to be patriotic.

In this episode of Top of Mind, host Julie Rose explores how Americans are redefining patriotism in the 21st century. From disillusionment and division to new forms of civic engagement, the meaning of pride in America is shifting in ways that will shape the country’s future.

GUESTS

Susan (not real name), Top of Mind listener

Karlyn Bowman, senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute (https://www.aei.org/profile/karlyn-bowman/)

Michelle Duster, author and public historian (https://mldwrites.com/)

Douglas Satterfield, retired Brigadier General of the U.S. Army and blogger (https://www.theleadermaker.com/)

Steven Smith, professor at Yale University and author of Reclaiming Patriotism in an Age of Extremes (https://politicalscience.yale.edu/people/steven-smith)

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:53 Decline in American Patriotism

02:05 Struggling with Patriotism

04:28 Historical Context and Public Opinion

10:49 Patriotism Among Different Demographics

20:28 A Veteran's Perspective

28:53 Reclaiming Patriotism in Modern America

42:14 Conclusion