The Left Needs to Rediscover Its Patriotism
The article discusses the need for the political left to embrace a sense of patriotism in order to connect with a broader audience. It highlights that many Democrats feel pride in the country only when their party is in power, contrasting this with a historical tradition of leftist patriotism that seeks to uphold the nation's founding ideals. The author argues that recognizing the complexities of American history can help the left articulate a vision for a more equitable society.
- ▪Recent polls indicate that more Americans on the right feel patriotic compared to those on the left.
- ▪Many Democrats express pride in the country primarily when a Democrat is in the White House.
- ▪The left has a historical tradition of patriotism that uses the nation's founding ideals to advocate for equality.
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IdeasThe Left Needs to Rediscover Its PatriotismA left that rejects a hopeful, empathetic love of the United States can never win the country to its side.By Michael KazinPaolo Pellegrin / Magnum PhotoJune 3, 2026, 6 AM ET ShareSave One the eve of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence, more Americans on the right than on the left say they feel patriotic. Recent polls show that a majority of Democrats are “proud” of the country only when a president of their party is in the White House. And many progressive activists and historians see the founding of the nation as a tragedy for Native Americans and enslaved people instead of the glorious fight for liberty that conservatives insist it was.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Atlantic.
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