Flagging Patriotism : Crises of Narcissism and Anti-Americanism

The question "Why do they hate us?" is one of the most oft-cited puzzles of contemporary American affairs, yet it’s not clear to whom "they" or "us" refers, nor even what "hate" means. In this bold new work, Ella Shohat and Robert Stam take apart the "hate discourse" of right-wing politics, placing it in an international context. How, for example, do other nations love themselves, and how is that love connected to their attitudes toward America? Is love of country "monogamous" or can one love many countries? When can a country’s self-love be a symptom of self-hatred? Drawing upon their extensive experience with South American, European, and Middle Eastern societies, the authors have written a long engagement with a problem that refuses to go away. Flagging Patriotism considers these complex features of "being patriotic," and in so doing insists that the idea of patriotism, instead of being rejected or embraced, be accorded the complex identity it possesses. While many books focus on anti-Americanism, and many on patriotism, Flagging Patriotism audaciously links the two issues. Within a multiper-spectival approach, the authors reframe the usual "Why do they hate us?" question, asking how do other nations love themselves, and how is that self-love linked to their views of the United States? Is love of country "monogamous," or can one love many countries? In the age of imperial democracy, how can Americans learn from international critics, but also point out that anti-Americans "get it wrong"? Rather than simply endorse or reject the criticisms, the book scores both the anti-French hysteria of the right and the submerged narcissism of some French anti-Americanism. The boisterous superpatriots, meanwhile, are exposed as not being patriots at all. Drawing upon the authors' experience and knowledge of Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, Flagging Patriotism expands American studies by deploying a fresh, interconnective, and transnational grid. Dedicated to cable clowns like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, the book combines transdisciplinary expertise with a colloquial and often humorous style. While touching on many hot-button issues, it also clarifies present-day tensions by seeing them against the longer historical backdrop of various national mythologies and exceptionalisms While many books focus on anti-Americanism, and many on potriotism, Flagging Patriotism audaciously links the two issues. Within a multiper-spectival approach, the authors reframe the usual "Why do they hate us?" question, asking how do other nations love themselves, and how is that self-love linked to their views of the United States? Is love of country "monogamous," or can one love many countries? In the age of imperial democracy, how can Americans learn from international critics, but also point out that anti-Americans "get it wrong"? Rather than simply endorse or reject the criticisms, the book scores both the anti-French hysteria of the right and the submerged narcissism of some French anti-Americanism. The boisterous superpatriots, meanwhile, are exposed as not being patriots at all.Drawing upon the authors' experience and knowledge of Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, Flagging Patriotism expands American studies by deploying a fresh, interconnective, and transnational grid. Dedicated to cable clowns like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, the book combines transdisciplinary expertise with a colloquial and often humorous style. While touching on many hot-button issues, it also clarifies present-day tensions by seeing them against the longer historical backdrop of various national mythologies and exceptionalisms. They hate us because they hate our freedoms, ' George Bush keeps telling us. But if you're becoming a little suspicious that Bush doth protest too much, especially as his own administration has done more than any terrorists to take away 'our freedoms, ' this is the book for you. A triangulation in the best sense between French and Brazilian and American exceptionalist skews on the United States, this book bores into the conundra of Anti-Americanism and American patriotism. It holds France and Brazil up as a mirror to the self-conceit of American officialdom. Comprehending anti-Americanism while On Narcissism And Exceptionalism -- Variations On An Anti-american Theme -- Discrepant Histories Of Citizenship -- Political Sense, Cultural Nonsense -- Contemporary Politics And The Crisis Of Democracy -- None Dare Call It Patriotism. Robert Stam & Ella Shohat. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.