According to the passage, how can love of country become nationalism?
Patriotism is often defended as love of one's country, and nationalism attacked as the belief that one's country is better than others. The distinction is useful but not as clear as it looks. A love of country can slide into a conviction of superiority when it is not accompanied by a willingness to criticise. The test of healthy patriotism is whether it can take pride in what the country does well while taking responsibility for what it has done badly. A person who loves their country enough to want it to do better is a better patriot than one who treats every criticism as disloyalty. Here, as often, the quality of a sentiment shows in what it can bear to hear.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: E. When it is not accompanied by a willingness to criticise, it may slide into a conviction of superiority
- Step 1: The passage says a love of country can slide into a conviction of superiority when it is not accompanied by a willingness to criticise.
- Step 2: The only choice consistent with this is "When it is not accompanied by a willingness to criticise, it may slide into a conviction of superiority".
Answer
When it is not accompanied by a willingness to criticise, it may slide into a conviction of superiority.
Why not the others: Public expression, living abroad, being widely shared and prompting travel are not what the passage gives; it says lack of willingness to criticise lets love slide into superiority.
Practise more Politics and identity.
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