What is true patriotism? Part I

All Malaysians do have and carry multiple identities; in fact, most human beings do. Role theory is a perspective in sociology and in social psychology that considers most everyday activities to be the acting out of socially defined categories (eg, mother, manager, teacher, and citizen).

Each role is a set of rights, duties, expectations, norms and behaviours that a person has to face and fulfil. That role fulfilment defines the conduct of the individual in that society or community. This model is based on the observation that people behave in predictable ways, and that an individual’s behaviour is context-specific, based on social position and other pre-defining factors related to expectations.

The theatre is one metaphor often used to describe and present such role theory. Reality TV is another. A third is live story-telling.

Once we are conscious about the above, we realise that we can and do assume multiple roles in our complex modern life. Most of us, regardless of what we do specifically for a living, can be seen to assume at least about five minimum identity layers related to the different roles we assume in any lived life and within a geographical location.

Basic and multiple identities

The first and most primary identities we all assume is as living political entities, or as citizens in any nation-state, and these are declared and defined by passport identities. These define our local or national context of lived life and also what rights and privileges are available or accorded to the person in that geography. Therein is found both legal and jurisdictional identity norms and forms. Tax-paying is also defined as such with additional residential qualifications.

Therefore, one’s nationality is always a primary public identity which defines agreed and conditioned public conduct or behaviour at a nation-state level. Some are democracies and others republics. And, if we accept role theory and such a defining nature of citizenship; it becomes the framework for both political and international human rights. This is the premise of my pet theory for anyone’s public space action and thereby conduct in public life.

Next, all of us have some kind of faith or belief system which defines and negotiates implicit personal behaviour and conduct. These can be called religious beliefs or worldview assumptions we hold as basic and primary to one’s system for faith and action. But, because these are deeply felt and may not be as consciously held and communicated regularly, they may not always become visible in one’s behaviour or conduct but could appear in some subconscious forms, too.

Thirdly, most if not all of us, have some kind of ethno-racial identity which we are born with and have a genealogical link with or to. Also, science-based genetic theory also asserts that at some point in the past we were all part and parcel of that same human race.

Fourthly, we are all equally and efficaciously defined by our natural personalities. Basic personality theories propose at least two basic archetypes which are natural to all humans; introverts and extroverts. Then there are other types and categories also depending on which model or theory one uses to interpret the basic traits.

Finally in my consequential five-layer onion model of identity theory, we are all human beings because of the conscience we always beg some questions but for which we do not have simple answers. Instead, we question also life, reality, truth, lies and the ethics of right and wrong and all false assumptions. That is then our common core of human-ness.

The human conscience always differentiates and separates us from other animals and makes us truly humans who can know and can distinguish between rights from wrongs. We lose this capacity; and we get labelled as ‘terrorists’.

What then is patriotism?

After the 911 attacks in New York, I wrote a column which frankly questioned the identity and citizenship of the New York’s Twin Tower bombers. My argument then was a rather simple one. If we do not understand and pursue the rights, responsibilities, and roles of one another, as human beings; then, one’s worldview is a limited one and cannot have efficacy for the longer term.

All nature of identity politics is concerned and related to challenging and questioning our world today; as constructed and role-played and made visible for all to see. The only way to overcome these realities is to restate them upfront authentically and begin to confront sceptics carefully but clearly and unequivocally. Only then may a dialogue pursue.

Such caring and loving confrontation requires transparency and openness in our personal conduct and operations. It also includes being transparent, open but authentic, with all partners and allies who are involved in the agenda being progressed. Herein Donald Trump fails rather badly. Not sure about Hillary Clinton.

Any discrepancy, in terms of integrity, is visible gaps between person’s espoused theory and person’s action. They become clear and define their potential conduct in similar circumstances in future. Their role and therefore leadership of their communities, whether in small groups or nation-states, have serious political implications for the normal but universal world as we know it. The normal is therefore no more; maybe the abnormal is here.

Therefore, in such a divided but non-unipolar world, what then is the true meaning of patriotism? How does one focus one’s patriotism when everything we considered is normal is no longer the norm. How then does one play out this abnormal patriotism?

Identity of terror?

The most recent terror act in New York uncovers much, if not all, the above complex identity issues. My view is that the closest one can get to assuming normal conduct in such grave circumstances is to hold and communicate one’s worldview with as much clarity and transparency as possible. The accused faces this challenge.

In true blue democratic values, without any kind of a falsely imposed hierarchy into such thinking, one has to be integrated with integrity; ie believe and live out one’s worldview assumptions. In my pet theory there are five further core assumptions which define such a worldview; namely, anthropology, theology, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics.

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KJ JOHN, PhD, was in public service for 32 years having served as a researcher, trainer, and policy adviser to the International Trade and Industry Ministry and the National IT Council (NITC) of the government of Malaysia. The views expressed here are his personal views and not those of any institution he is involved with. Write to him at kjjohn@ohmsi.net with any feedback or views.