I am English and I love the country that I was born and brought up in. I do not believe in 'my country right or wrong' because a lot of the things that my country does stem from the decisions of politicians with whom I might disagree. I also think that the behaviour and actions of a number of my countrymen are a cause of dismay in that they colour the view of other nations to all of us.

Having read through the thread I would agree with Ellenpoly that the ideal would be one family. Problem is, even within the nuclear family there can be disagreement, friction and downright hostility so, although it is a lovely ideal, I think that it is one, given the human condition as it stands, that is probably not capable of fulfillment.

All we can do, as individuals, is to present the best possible example of our particular nationality, to let others see that, despite geographical differences, human beings are basically the same the world over. That is why I enjoy the Mudcat so much - so many people from different parts of the world and, unless they tell us, we don't really know where they are in that world so are basing our opinions of them on the person, not the nationality.

Maybe the word patriot has taken on a bit of a negative connotation these days - in England it has been used too heavily by the very right wing British Nationalist Party. Possibly the word that I would use would be loyalty - to my country, to my family and my friends.