Rousseau and patriotism Zdenko Kodelja
Summary: Rousseau views patriotism as love of the homeland. This love, however, is seen as love of equal freedom, that is, of our freedom and the freedom of our fellow citizens. Consequently, it is impossible to speak about a homeland without freedom and without citizens; therefore, we can only speak about a country. For Rousseau, the foundation of the homeland lies in the relationship between the state and its citizens as well as in a way of life that is in accordance with the laws. He perceives the origin of this love to be in the citizens’ gratitude of a good government. Yet, this love is not unconditional. The government must deserve it, it can only do so if the laws protect the civil and political liberties of each citizen, and if the way of life is founded on freedom.