Does patriotism still have a place in modern society?

[kennyrester]

I think there's still a place for patriotism. For example, I try to buy Irish goods ahead of foreign imports where possible to support our economy, something I assume people in other countries do too. I'm pleased when Irish athletes and teams do well, rare as that is.

I finished A Little History of The World by E. H. Gombrich last night. In it he says

"I know a wise old Buddhist monk who ... once said he'd love to know why someone who boasts that he is the cleverest, the strongest, the bravest or the most gifted man on earth is thought ridiculous and embarrassing, whereas if, instead of 'I', he says, 'WE are the most intelligent, the strongest, the bravest and most gifted people on earth',his fellow countrymen applaud enthusiastically and call him a patriot. ... One can be attached to one's own country without needing to insist that the rest of the world's inhabitants are worthless"

I think that's about right. It's okay to support your own country as long as you don't think other races are inherently inferior.