Superpatriotism

"Superpatriotism examines how hype, fear, and mindless flag-waving are supplanting informed debate and commitment to democracy and social justice. Parenti raises such urgent questions as: What does it mean to love one's country? Why is it so important to be "Number One"? What determines America's "greatness"? What is the messianic message behind so much of nationalism? He also examines how US leaders and the media fan the flames of fear to win support for huge arms budgets, military interventions, and global aggrandizement, as well as to insure political orthodoxy at home and abroad. Challenging the nationalistic hype propagated by officialdom, the media, the sports world, and the military, this book argues for pursuing policies at home and abroad that serve the real needs of humanity."--BOOK JACKET.