GTB
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Is Patriotism a form of XenophobiaIf we love our country of origin and would do anything to protect it no matter what, could this be a form of xenophobia? There has been a few rumbles recently regarding the amount of foreign immagrants coming to this country and supposidly taking "British" jobs but couldn't this be put down to economics rather than patriotism or xenophobia?
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Bear
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Xenophobia is defined as being a fear or contemp of foreigners whereas patriotism is defined as a love of ones country and therefore one does not neccessarily lead to the other I for example love my country and would under a certain set of circumstances lay down my life for it but it does not mean that I fear or have contempt for foreigners.
The question of immigration into this country is complexed to say the least and it is fairly true to say that most immigrants are indeed economic ones particularly in the case of those coming from eastern europe however my view is I believe quite pragmatic in as much as I beleive that any increase in the population of this country will push us closer to breaking point when things like the NHS, Education, Housing and Infrastructure start to fall apart and therefore all immigration should be stopped no matter where people come from or what race or creed they may be.
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WeAreSTFC
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none of us are even english
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Durgan
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I suggest both, Xenophobia and Patriotism carried to excess are harmful to any society.
The big issue facing the world is unlimited population growth. All gains in say "reducing Global Warming" are being nullified simply by the requirement for more goods and services due to population increase.
Seldom is the increased population issue discussed, but a few pundits are periodically mentioning it. Mostly a voice in the wilderness to date.
There weren't too many complaints about immigration when the immigrants were WASP plus a few others who were similar.
I suggest when the Colonial Masters told the natives that they were going home, The natives replied, "that is so nice, we will go with you".
I suppose the Indians of Canada and the USA, Maoris of NZ, Aborginals of Australia, had similar complaints heard today , but were powerless to resist. I suppose we could also include the Irish.
Additionally, the worm has turned-get use to it.
I do admit it is getting a bit hard to swallow the influx of "religious" types with what could be considered medieval beliefs. We even had a Province two years ago, seriously discussing the implemention of Shiah Law. This was just before the "Danish Cartoon" incident, which was an abrupt wake-up call for the Sheeple.
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Geddi
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Xenophobia? Not I. I have never had fear of Xena. She can haunt my waking or sleeping dreams anytime 
“Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.”
~ Thomas Jefferson.
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GTB
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Mmmm, Lucy Lawless. 
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Peter Dolman
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surely xenophopia and patriotism go together like horse and carriage (is there a song here) you can;t have one with out the other!
seriously, they are the same thing!
I see myself as English (not British) but I am not overly xenophobic, although I do sometimes think our (this countries) immigration policy is looney.
We allow convicted criminals to remain here because they might suffer a worse fate back home. I am sorry but that in general is not a policy I can accept.
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Geddi
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Peter:
These are not the same. Xenophobia is the irrational fear/hatred of strangers. This is a very negative thing.
Patriotism is love of one's country. This is a very positive thing, although perhaps equally irrational.
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Peter Dolman
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Geddi the point I was trying to make was that it is the patriots who are the worse xenophobs, generally speaking that is.
If you don;t have much interest in your own country why should you have a fear of people from another country?
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