patriotism?... or hegemony

Hegemony is dominance or rule by one group or class gained by 'spontaneous consent' rather than force. In hegemony, the dominating group passes its ideology onto the dominated classes who in turn absorb it and maintain false illusions about their role. Often, the dominated classes do not realize that the ideology into which they've incorporated themselves does not benefit them. One real world example of hegemony at work is nationalism disguised as patriotism in the public schools.

American capitalists (CEO's, etc) often engange in exploitation of foreign nations in order to secure business or profits. The American government engages in war with other nations. What easier way to excuse these actions than to assert that The United States is the best country in the world, thus justifying all of her actions in it?

This, I believe, is an ideology filtered to American schoolchildren every day when they begin class by pledging allegiance to the flag. It is continued when they learn about American "heroes" such as Christopher Columbus (never mind that he did not actually discover America or that he was a mass murderer). It is reinforced through celebration of Presidents and American folklore (the cherry tree, for example). Children read books that celebrate the country, its origins, and its heroes (pioneer stories such as Little House on the Prairie). They read text books such as The American Nation which serve only to spew pro-American propoganda. Then, they get to perform in flag day pageants. I personally recall being a second grader, waving a plastic flag, and singing tunes such as, "I'm proud to be American/Where at least I know I'm free/...God Bless the USA" as if God has specifically selected The United States as the best.country.ever. American history class is boring, the text books are too long to possibly ever get through (thus students only hear their teachers discuss Vietnam for about two minutes at the end of June when everyone has stoppe listening anyway)...why?

Hegemony. And there is nothing anyone can do about it because education is compulsorary, and even home schooled children must learn their state curriculum's version of history in order to pass standardzied tests. It's also a convenient way to assimilate immigrants, because their children can pass it along to them athome. The dominating class discovered that it is very good to unite the country behind its deeds and misdeeds. The dominating class decided that children would not actually learn the history of their country. This is because the dominating class does not want ordinary Americans to know anything other than "I pledge allegiance." If Americans were more aware, they might ask questions instead of watching American Idol. Not only is it easier to control them, but the masses actually think that they're in on it because they think they are being patriotic! This is clear hegemony.