Making Patriots

This is an essay on the paradox of what being a Patriot means in the USA. How is patriotism inculcated in a system that, some argue, is founded on self-interest? Guiding the reader through the history and philosophy of patriotism in a republic, from ancient Greece to contemporary life, Walter Berns considers the unique nature of patriotism in the US as we enter the 21st century. Berns argues that while both public education and the influence of religion once helped to foster a public-minded citizenry, the very idea of patriotism is under attack. The graves at Arlington and Gettysburg - and Omaha Beach in Normandy - all bear witness to the fact that self-interests individuals can become patriots. "Making Patriots" is an exploration of how this was done and how it can be done again.