Constitutional patriotism
Encyclopedia
Constitutional patriotism (Verfassungspatriotismus) is a concept associated with the German philosopher
Jürgen Habermas
, yet originating from political scientist Dolf Sternberger
. He used it first as the heading of the leader for German national newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of 23 May 1979 - the day the German constitution (Basic Law) turned thirty. It is a key part of theories of postnationalism
, has been influential in the development of the European Union
, and is considered a key quality of Europeanism
. Yet it is much older: "Switzerland with its four different linguistic communities does not hold together as a nation; it is not a nation, it is united through its constitution. The recurrent annual Bundesfeier (celebration of the Federation) proves it. The United States of America with a population originating from different countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, a colourful mix unmatched by any other community in the world, are united by nothing else but their constitution and by the patriotic feelings by which the constitution is respected. The recurrent annual commemoration day of the Declaration of Independence, which has been some sort of constitution in itself, proves it". According to the principle of constitutional patriotism, citizenship
thus often relies on a shared sense of values rather than a common history or ethnic origin.
In Spain
, the utilization of this concept for both left and right parties, has become an argument for the Spanish unitarian identity in front of peripheral nationalisms.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
Jürgen Habermas
Jürgen Habermas
Jürgen Habermas is a German sociologist and philosopher in the tradition of critical theory and pragmatism. He is perhaps best known for his theory on the concepts of 'communicative rationality' and the 'public sphere'...
, yet originating from political scientist Dolf Sternberger
Dolf Sternberger
Dolf Sternberger was a German philosopher and political scientist at the University of Heidelberg. Dolf Sternberger is known for his Concept of Citizenship in German Political Contemporary Thought and for coining the term "constitutional patriotism".- External links :* *...
. He used it first as the heading of the leader for German national newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of 23 May 1979 - the day the German constitution (Basic Law) turned thirty. It is a key part of theories of postnationalism
Postnationalism
Postnationalism describes the process or trend by which nation states and national identities lose their importance relative to supranational and global entities...
, has been influential in the development of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, and is considered a key quality of Europeanism
Europeanism
Although this term is occasionally used to describe support for European integration , it is more commonly used in relation to the idea that Europeans have common norms and values that transcend national or state identity, that have been promoted most actively...
. Yet it is much older: "Switzerland with its four different linguistic communities does not hold together as a nation; it is not a nation, it is united through its constitution. The recurrent annual Bundesfeier (celebration of the Federation) proves it. The United States of America with a population originating from different countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, a colourful mix unmatched by any other community in the world, are united by nothing else but their constitution and by the patriotic feelings by which the constitution is respected. The recurrent annual commemoration day of the Declaration of Independence, which has been some sort of constitution in itself, proves it". According to the principle of constitutional patriotism, citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
thus often relies on a shared sense of values rather than a common history or ethnic origin.
In Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the utilization of this concept for both left and right parties, has become an argument for the Spanish unitarian identity in front of peripheral nationalisms.