The sentiment of patriotism is essentially local or regional. As Yeats wrote "My country is Kiltartan Cross, My countrymen Kiltartan's poor..."

When nations are small enough, like many European nations, it can appropriate enough to use the term in relation to whole nations.

But when it come to vast political entities or empires, stretching across whole continents, some other term seems needed, because its not the same thing at all.

"Marriage" means something different when it involves multiple partners.