Patriotism - Is Australia's Future Limited? I believe that patriotism is a belief or feeling of pride in one's own country. That is what I believe the definition of patriotism should be. Patriotism in Australia is the love for or devotion to Australia. Patriotism represents people who love this country and support the country's authority and interests. I have come to the conclusion that Australia's future, as a whole is limited unless we can make a few changes. The constant desire for Australia to become Americanised along with other factors such as our lack of patriotism and sense of national pride will wear away at the motivation for Australians to remain together as one. Unless we can unite all the people in this country for a common good (not a tragedy), and try to create a system that is uniquely Australian other wise Australia will split apart piece by piece. Television has become the most important media source; a close second is the Internet. Control of these is then of chief importance. If the United States continues to dominate the programs that we watch I believe we will become more and more like them, and lose our uniqueness. I believe a strong patriotism requires a sense of pride or accomplishment. In the last ten years there has been little for Australians to feel pride in, our debt has risen as a result of the War on Terror and many Australian companies have gone bankrupt. The future is dependant on the present, anything we do now will have an effect on the eventual outcome of ourselves and of your country. Australia could have an unlimited future. In order for us to realise such a future certain conditions must be met. One of those is to have the Australian public be willing to unite together as one. Also if none of the countries residents feel pride/motivation to live/work in their homeland who would eventually be left to work the land that we all should love. We have all the natural and human resources to become a great economic power. The efficient use of these resources is what is required for us to become great. The efficient use of resources requires us to be united as a people. We must be Australian first, and then any other culture second otherwise people will not know where their loyalties should lie. These are the years that will determine whether we will grow to an economic powerhouse, or continue our present situation as a relatively small economic country compared to America and other influential countries. The future will be limited unless we can create a sense of pride in our country and what it stands for. When confronted with the question, "How can I help preserve patriotism?”. I honestly draw a blank. It is not because I can't help preserve patriotism, it's just something that should come naturally. Patriotism is defined as a devotion to one's country. I was fortunate enough to be brought up with the knowledge that it is good to have your own opinion, but that resulted in a direct love for the country for me but too many people in this country suffer from being deprived of the knowledge that patriotism is rational, logical, and necessary for a countries existence. National loyalty is, in a sense, an invaluable "social security" system, which provides positive benefits to the investor. A nation can also provide the benefits of public education and of equal protection of the law better with the support of the people. I would have to say that the best way for people to become more patriotic is to teach the younger generation to become active with the needs of the country and also that they need to voice their opinion rationally. They also need to know that decisions that they make will ultimately affect their country, because a place is defined by its everyday characteristics such as its people. People in today’s society need to realise that Patriotism is more than flag-waving and fireworks they need to feel a sense of pride, a sense of nationalism when they see an Australian flag. They also need to respect everyone who has fought or is still fighting to protect our country because they are protecting the people as well. It is also the way that people address certain public issues and how you would respond to them. If we ask only, "What do I get out of it?" - we are not being very patriotic and but if we were to ask, "Is this right? Is it good for the Australian people? Would it preserve and strengthen our freedom?" we are being more patriotic and also more diplomatic. We deserve to ask the same questions that Sir Edmund Barton asked because without him Australia would not have federated in 1901 if he started the beginning of a nation we could also end it. Patriotism is trying always to give more to the nation than we receive. In conclusion I believe that for a country to survive it needs a strong sense of patriotism because without that there is nothing that will keep the country strong, united because without its people a country is nothing but land. A country is defined by its everyday characteristics and they include its people, they are the legs that the country stands on and without the support of the people a patriotic country would not exist. ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country’. (http://www.museumofpatriotism.org/) BIBLIOGRAPHY Internet: http://www.museumofpatriotism.org/ http://www.sustainourfuture.org/Patriotism/ http://www.nybooks.com/articles/15145 http://www.angelfire.com/stars/dorina/usa.html Books: Australian Prime ministers Edited Michelle Gratton Published Sydney in 2001