A nation of immigrants might be expected to manifest considerable fragmentation and widespread expression of ethnic or regional loyalties, rather than vociferous declarations of love of country; however, this has not been so. Social elites in the United States have often “incorporated” notions of “Americanness” to establish their own legitimacy and have used their understanding of patriotism to attempt to either reshape or restrict immigration. For African Americans and other immigrants, then, patriotism has been both a vehicle aiding advancement or an obstacle placed in their way In times of war (including the Cold War), members of many ethnic groups along with African Americans showed their loyalty to the United States through service in the armed forces.

Groups might also use patriotism to distinguish themselves from others who do not belong to the dominant white culture. Yet patriotism can also promote more inclusive social change. Thus, a Civil Rights movement is patriotic because it strives to help Americans reach their “highest ideals.” In recent years, debates swirling around issues of patriotism have both intensified and become confused. The lack of clear-cut enemies after the Cold War and increased globalization have confused obvious identification with the nation. Instabilities resulting from such developments, however, have led to the use of patriotism to justify nativist backlashes against immigrants, demands for protection and opposition to NAFTA (particularly from the AFL-CIO) and increased hostility towards the World Trade Organization. US involvement in wars from the Reagan administration to the present has also intensified patriotic fervor, spilling over into the demand (particularly from Republican politicians and especially loud during the Gulf War) for a constitutional amendment to ban the burning of the American flag.