For the Love of Country: Understanding Patriotism

We’ve all heard about nationalism and patriotism, but what exactly is the difference? Where did these ideas come from? Listen in to a conversation with Dr. Takashi Shogimen, Professor of History at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. We explore his research on the history of patriotism, its ancient origins, and its transformation by medieval thinkers. He shares his thoughts on William of Ockham, the importance of being “somewhere” instead of “nowhere,” nationalism in the 21st century, and how we might try to answer the question: What does one owe one’s nation?

Meeting in the Middle Ages is hosted by Will Beattie and Ben Pykare, both Ph.D. candidates at Notre Dame’s Medieval Institute. The podcast is sponsored by the Medieval Institute of the University of Notre Dame and supported by the Medieval Academy of America’s Graduate Student Committee through their Community Building Award.