Constructive Patriotism as an Analytical Framework for Understanding Protests in Nigeria and the United States

• In Event: Identity, Resistance, and Movement-Building

Abstract

This paper revisits the literature on protest and patriotism with a view to answering two fundamental questions: First, whether constitutional patriotism can be used as a theoretical basis for explaining constructive patriotism, and second, to determine what qualifies protest to be categorised as constructive patriotism. It uses Karl Jasper’s constitutional patriotism theory - advanced by Jurgen Habermas - which advocates for citizens’ loyalty to a liberal democratic constitution and/or their shared national values and beliefs, to answer these questions. Using the EndSars and Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests as empirical cases, the paper argues that both protests demonstrated constructive patriotism by demanding inclusive and accountable governance, equal citizenship, justice, and human rights. The analysis concludes by laying out the implications of categorising protest as constructive patriotism. This is based on the deficit in governments’ repressive response to protests, which is informed by the tenets of blind patriotism.

Author

• Daniel Clement Ekup-Nse, University of Pretoria