# Why are Republicans generally more patriotic than Democrats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 19, 2017, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627 "2017-07-19T05:03:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/201 "2017-07-20T20:58:38Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Why did you just do that, H-D? > > Why did you use that specific quote out of context with the entire paragraph or section in which you found it (Abstract)? Because I found that line interesting. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Were you hoping nobody would bother reading the cited study? Quite the contrary, which is why I wrote “I’d encourage others to read them too”. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/202 "2017-07-21T00:48:59Z")
Both the communist and the labor movements were consciously internationalist. I don’t think that the American Democrats would be internationalist except for those influences. the traditional Southern Democrat wasn’t “less patriotic”. However, the traditional Southern Democrat was less federalist than a northern republican: that may play into their support for the federal government, which may play into their self-reported “patriotism”. ---
**Author:** ![igor\_frankensteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/839c29/32.png) [@igor\_frankensteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/igor_frankensteen)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/203 "2017-07-21T01:44:06Z")
During my lifetime, the Republican Party and many of it’s members have pretended to be Patriotism Incarnate, almost constantly. They have also almost constantly, done so for entirely political reasons. Usually for short term political gain. And again and again, what they tried to do in the name of patriotism, was to destroy the United States from within. Right now, they are worse than ever before. During the last administration, the Republican Party pretended to care deeply about Americans in uniform; but sent them into wars that were not at all thought out, without proper equipment, and without bothering to fund them. They took the country to the brink of defaulting on it’s foreign obligations several times, and drove up the cost of borrowing for the entire nation, simply to play a small political game against a President they didn’t like. They declared that the Constitution didn’t apply to them, whenever they didn’t want it to (despite foreign relations and treaty negotiations being clearly defined as under the Executive Branch, they declared Congress to have those authorities, and when it came to the appointment of Executive and Judicial offices, they played the same game). They pretended to support a version of States Rights which was in line with the last attempt to overthrow the United States Federal Government, again for the sake of local politics. They CUT the budget for care for Americans in uniform, and are threatening to do so again, not for the sake of any American Patriotic interests, but simply to free up funds for an additional tax cut for the rich. And they want to eliminate specialty military medical care, not because it makes sense medically, but because they want more private for profit doctors to benefit from providing care. ``` Individual Republicans might be truly patriotic. As a party, they are traitors. ``` ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/204 "2017-07-21T02:52:36Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Didn’t we just have a thread a bit ago about how it was inappropriate to criticize in any way, shape, or form, the United States of America on the Fourth of July? > > Maybe I was wrong, but I felt that it was being **inferred** that those who would dare to make such observations as to the flaws and challenges to their country would be unpatriotic. I don’t know if that word was actually used, and I don’t feel like going back to find out, but it certainly felt that way to me. > > Now, if we were just talking about thinks that were appropriate or prudent, and that you were not talking about patriotism, then I got the wrong impression, but you would have to admit that it would be a reasonable impression to get from the context of the thread. > > In any case, have you ever heard the phrase, “America, love it or leave it”? Anyone who uses that phrase or any of its variations is one who does not brook any criticism of their motherland. This is a sentiment more oft expressed on the R side of the aisle. **IMPLIED.** That is all. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/205 "2017-07-21T02:58:35Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > **IMPLIED.** > > That is all. Damn right! I blame the confusion of these terms on the lesser-known 1975 disaster sequel _The Towering Implyno_. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/206 "2017-07-21T02:59:25Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Because I found that line interesting. But not in any way indicative of the study’s findings. In fact, quite the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/207 "2017-07-21T03:13:12Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/208 "2017-07-21T03:38:30Z")
A substantial consideration of the ‘patriotism’ issue is in the way people come to identify with the two major parties. R’s often come to their party because they are inherently more fearful of both internal and external attacks against their (country, race, religion, sex, etc.) D’s, liberals, don’t see a need to proclaim how they will take up arms to defend their (\_\_\_\_\_\_\_). For us, it is a matter of course, that if we are needed, we’ll be there. R’s have a history of proclaiming liberal social practices obscene, immoral etc., while fighting those urges in themselves or practicing them in secret. In short, R’s are no more patriotic or ‘good’ or productive than D’s. They just have to keep telling the world how wonderful they are in order to get through their day. ---
**Author:** ![etasyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9f8e36/32.png) [@etasyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etasyde)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/209 "2017-07-21T04:32:10Z")
Why are ghosts [touching so many people](http://www.pewforum.org/2009/12/09/many-americans-mix-multiple-faiths/#ghosts-fortunetellers-and-communicating-with-the-dead)? Self reported claims of x make x true, meaning no analysis whatsoever as to the veracity of the self reported claim is warranted, which is of course why I am president of the European States of Canamerico Federation. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/210 "2017-07-21T05:26:14Z")
> [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](#): > > I think I am more patriotic than most Republicans I know. They fly the flag in front of their house, but I have read the constitution, the declaration, the federalist papers, and other background material many times. I have taken many college level courses over the years on constitutional law and history. I have also read many supreme court decisions and oratories from through the centuries and I believe I have a much better idea of what the US was, is, and what it was intended to be. But I am sure Okra would believe he is more patriotic than me if he met me. Reminds me of fandom arguments. The true fans read the books, comics, and play the video games; filthy casuals only watch the show. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/211 "2017-07-21T05:37:01Z")
Hipster patriots - saluting the flag _before_ it was cool. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/212 "2017-07-21T06:17:10Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > But not in any way indicative of the study’s findings. In fact, quite the opposite. What are you talking about? It was a line _from the study_, summarizing an earlier study. How do you figure it was “the opposite”? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/213 "2017-07-21T12:00:28Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > What are you talking about? It was a line _from the study_, summarizing an earlier study. How do you figure it was “the opposite”? No. What are you talking about?.. I read the study. You’ve glommed on to a single sentence from a 1988 study (without context) that favours your political p.o.v. I find that revealing because the meta-study we’re talking about lends no credence or support to that snippet. It just mentions it in passing as a contrasting point to what is actually being addressed in this study, which is: “_Relative to liberals, conservatives were more likely to endorse favorable but unlikely self-evaluations, to provide socially desirable self-reports, to view themselves as better than average, unique, and ideal…_” Do you agree or disagree? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/214 "2017-07-21T12:44:02Z")
> [@etasyde](#): > > Why are ghosts [touching so many people](http://www.pewforum.org/2009/12/09/many-americans-mix-multiple-faiths/#ghosts-fortunetellers-and-communicating-with-the-dead)? Why do the aliens abduct so many more of the gullible? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/215 "2017-07-21T13:09:36Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > What are you talking about? It was a line _from the study_, summarizing an earlier study. How do you figure it was “the opposite”? Becuase you took it out of context. The context showing that that snippet meant the opposite of what the out of context quote you took. > [@](#): > > Self-enhancement, or the > tendency to evaluate oneself in an unrealistically favorable light, is more pronounced among the > psychologically well-adjusted (Taylor & Brown, 1988), the religious (Sedikides & Gebauer, > 2009), and Westerners who live in unequal, individualistic societies where there is heightened > motivation to stand out from others (Hamamura, Heine, & Takemoto, 2007; Loughnan et al., > 2011) So, yes, makes it very interesting. If I had to WAG, I would say that the dems who self assessed as “extremely” are the psychologically well adjusted, while the R’s that assessed that way are the religious, and westerners looking to stand out while living in an unequal, individualistic society. > [@](#): > > Economic conservatism involves a hierarchical, > competitive worldview, potentially heightening motivations to view oneself as superior to others And that explains to me why it is important to conservatives to not only claim to be more patriotic, but to also consider themselves superior to those they deem as less so. And this quote from the study > [@](#): > > These findings suggest that, above > and beyond previously studied variables, multiple forms of political conservatism predict a > strengthened tendency to evaluate the self in an overly positive way Answers the question that you should have asked in the OP, “Why do republicans self-asses themselves to be more patriotic than democrats do?” ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/216 "2017-07-21T14:18:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Self-enhancement, or the tendency to evaluate oneself in an unrealistically favorable light, is more pronounced among the psychologically well-adjusted (Taylor & Brown, 1988), the religious (Sedikides & Gebauer, 2009), and Westerners who live in unequal, individualistic societies where there is heightened motivation to stand out from others (Hamamura, Heine, & Takemoto, 2007; Loughnan et al.,2011) and > [@](#): > > Relative to liberals, conservatives were more likely to endorse favorable but unlikely self-evaluations, to provide socially desirable self-reports, to view themselves as better than average, unique, and ideal… So conservatives are more likely to be psychologically well-adjusted, and/or religious. I don’t think the part about living in an individualistic society affects the results much, since Democrats and Republicans live in the same country. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/217 "2017-07-21T14:37:52Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > So conservatives are more likely to be psychologically well-adjusted, and/or religious. I don’t think the part about living in an individualistic society affects the results much, since Democrats and Republicans live in the same country. > > Regards, > Shodan Conservatives who consider themselves uniquely above average are well-adjusted and/or religious, but liberals who consider themselves uniquely above average are special snowflakes who have been given too many participation trophies. ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/218 "2017-07-21T14:52:36Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > and > > So conservatives are more likely to be psychologically well-adjusted, and/or religious. I don’t think the part about living in an individualistic society affects the results much, since Democrats and Republicans live in the same country. > > Regards, > Shodan 'Tis a fine line between “[s]elf-enhancement, or the tendency to evaluate oneself in an unrealistically favorable light” and self-delusion. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/219 "2017-07-21T14:56:44Z")
[Illusory superiority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_superiority), “which also is known as the Above-average effect, the superiority bias, the leniency error, the sense of relative superiority, the primus inter pares effect, and the Lake Wobegon effect.” ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/220 "2017-07-21T15:03:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > and > > So conservatives are more likely to be psychologically well-adjusted, and/or religious. I don’t think the part about living in an individualistic society affects the results much, since Democrats and Republicans live in the same country. > > Regards, > Shodan I would say more “or” than “and”. I think it is pretty well established that conservatives tend to be more religious than democrats. As far as the “living in individualistic society”, yes, both dems and r’s live in the same country, but, IMHO, r’s do have a “heightened motivation to stand out from others”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627.md?page=12)