Posted by: Richie Bernardo

Expressions of American patriotism come in many forms — from setting off fireworks during Fourth of July and buying American-made goods to paying taxes and serving in the armed forces. But some states are better than others at showing their national pride.

So in order to determine where Americans bleed the most red, white and blue, WalletHub compared the states across 13 key indicators of patriotism. Our data set ranges from share of enlisted military population to share of adults who voted in the 2016 presidential election to AmeriCorps volunteers per capita. Read on for our findings, expert commentary and a full description of our methodology

1. Main Findings
2. Blue States vs. Red States
3. Ask the Experts: Taking Our Patriotic Pulse
4. Methodology

 

Main Findings Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/13680/patriotic-geochart.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="https://ift.tt/2K6It9n>

 

Most Patriotic States in America

Overall Rank (1 = Most Patriotic)	State	Total Score	‘Military Engagement’ Rank	‘Civic Engagement’ Rank
1	Virginia	70.48	5	10
2	Alaska	69.98	1	34
3	Wyoming	66.28	9	5
4	South Carolina	64.67	3	26
5	Idaho	62.99	8	11
6	Colorado	62.39	11	9
7	Hawaii	61.18	2	43
8	Washington	59.57	14	13
9	North Carolina	58.95	6	21
10	Georgia	58.76	4	41
11	Maine	58.02	28	3
12	South Dakota	56.57	21	16
13	New Hampshire	55.52	30	7
14	Oklahoma	55.28	7	31
15	Kansas	54.00	16	20
16	Maryland	53.86	26	12
17	Nebraska	53.80	25	14
18	Arizona	52.84	13	29
19	Vermont	52.21	40	1
20	Mississippi	52.15	15	28
21	Utah	51.64	37	2
22	Nevada	51.45	19	27
23	Montana	50.70	17	32
24	New Mexico	50.30	20	30
25	Missouri	50.16	22	23
26	Alabama	50.10	10	44
27	North Dakota	50.09	33	15
28	Wisconsin	49.05	41	4
29	Iowa	48.05	39	8
30	Florida	47.87	18	40
31	Texas	47.81	12	47
32	Ohio	44.51	34	22
33	Minnesota	43.58	46	6
34	Arkansas	43.54	24	46
35	Louisiana	42.60	31	35
36	Tennessee	42.27	27	45
37	Kentucky	42.20	29	42
38	Oregon	41.94	32	37
39	Indiana	41.85	35	33
40	West Virginia	41.83	36	24
41	Delaware	41.24	23	48
42	Pennsylvania	39.81	45	17
43	Michigan	38.74	43	19
44	California	36.66	38	39
45	Connecticut	35.30	47	18
46	New York	29.82	50	25
47	Illinois	27.76	44	49
48	Rhode Island	27.24	42	50
49	New Jersey	26.70	49	36
50	Massachusetts	26.60	48	38

Blue States vs. Red States

 

Ask the Experts: Taking Our Patriotic Pulse

Patriotism can be a complex subject, depending on who’s involved in the discussion. For insight, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What are the characteristics of a good patriot?
2. What is the relative influence of economic incentives versus patriotic intentions when deciding whether to join the military? Has this changed over time?
3. Is there a link between socio-economic class and level of patriotism?
4. When evaluating the most patriotic states in America, what are the top five indicators?
5. Has there been a shift in the way younger generations perceive and express their patriotism?
6. Should we be raising our children as global citizens first or as Americans first?
7. What measures should schools and local authorities undertake in order to promote patriotism among citizens?

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• Stefan Bradley Associate Professor and Chair of African American Studies, Loyola Maryland University
• Thomas Cushman Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Wellesley College
• Jeffrey P. Whitman Professor of Philosophy, Susquehanna University

Stefan Bradley Associate Professor and Chair of African American Studies, Loyola Maryland University

What are the characteristics of a good patriot?

If I were entranced by current notions of patriotism that some conservative media outlets propagate, I would say a flag waving, lapel pin wearing, bumper sticker bearing believer in a faultless America that religiously worships militarism and law and order while coddling ideas of xenophobia and western civilization’s infallibility. I do not, however, subscribe to that school of thought. In my mind, a good patriot is a citizen who can at once acknowledge the nation for its greatness yet recognize its frailties with an eye toward ever improving. I abide by the words of the insightful citizen, James Baldwin: “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” In my lifetime, the notion of patriotism has been commandeered by an unquestioning allegiance to militarism and authority, which are in some ways antithetical to work of the founders. They questioned authority and even moved slowly to establish a national standing military. I, of course, appreciate the military acting on behalf of American interests (my own father is a combat veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart). If, however, patriotism is linked exclusively to honoring the military and authorities, then the nation is in a great deal of trouble. Sadly, I have observed media posit patriotism as a mainstay of the political right, but that is a false notion. Some people viewed the young people who took to the streets during the uprisings in Ferguson (and now Pittsburgh) as “thugs” and criminals, but from what I saw on the ground, most of the young people were patriots of the first order. They explained in the loudest ways possible that they expected to be able to employ their rights (such as that to assemble, express themselves, bear arms, etc.). When they believed the authorities, which included police, threatened their lives and violated their rights, the youth acted to rescue American democracy. Each day and night I was on the street I saw American flags waving. Often they flew upside down to signal distress, but there was always a keen sense of Americanness; furthermore, there was a desire to create a better, more just nation. Although they did not wear uniforms or salute, those youth activists were definitely patriots.

What is the relative influence of economic incentives versus patriotic intentions when deciding whether or not to join the military? Has this changed over time?

The phrase “Rich man’s war, poor man’s fight” still applies. Throughout history, military service has been an opportunity for those from the working and lower socioeconomic classes to advance and to show their patriotism. For as much as black people wanted American freedom during the War for Independence, they wanted personal freedom in equal measure. They fought on the promise of personal freedom, and in so doing delivered America from its oppressive king. During the Civil War, poor black men in the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts volunteers (the vast majority of whom were once enslaved), fought to end slavery but also for the pay. When confronted with the option of being paid less for the same service, those black men refused pay to win freedom for their brethren and Union. Nothing is more patriotic. They eventually received equal pay, but that act alone was the quintessence of patriotism. The Second World War witnessed black people and ethnic minorities join the battle effort to prove their worth through patriotism, but for the black people who pummeled fascism, patriotism did not work well enough to effectively defeat Jim Crow. During the Vietnam War, Americans from lower socioeconomic backgrounds served and died disproportionally. As deferments were available to those enrolled in colleges and universities (the grand majority of whom were middle class white students), many working-class and poor people (often black and other people of color) became more susceptible to the draft and service in combat units. That they would serve gallantly despite discrimination was a display of patriotism, but so too was the refusal of Muhammad Ali to be drafted. He elected to advance freedom for Americans despite the punitive consequences he faced. Today, the military provides a venue for the poor to make money and display patriotism. Many wealthy elected officials, who have personally evaded service and protected their families from service, seek to invade new nations and start new wars. In the name of patriotism, they expect people from the lower classes to support such efforts.

Is there a link between socioeconomic class and level of patriotism?

It depends on how patriotism is defined. It seems symbolism means a lot in terms of patriotism these days. That is why the case of Colin Kaepernik is so controversial. Anecdotally, I have observed the working class and lower economic classes (in some parts of the Northwest and Midwest) to more frequently display the socially accepted symbols of patriotism, such as flags and bumper stickers on domestic vehicles. More than a few times I have seen people displaying the American flag alongside the Confederate battle flag without any hint of irony. I find that members of the upper economic classes claim to be patriotic and have a love of country. Their actions, however, seem to betray that sentiment. Some in the upper classes have a fondness for foreign vehicles and privatizing schools as well as other public institutions. They hire people who may not be documented residents and have chosen not to raise wages for American workers in decades even while enjoying large tax breaks. They balk at demonstrations like that of Kaepernik or those in the street but claim to adore notions of freedom. I suspect these wealthy patriots would have been the sorts who would have loved to declare independence but would not have wanted to participate in the revolution.

Has there been a shift in the way younger generations perceive and express their patriotism?

I believe there has been a notable shift toward a more meaningful sense of patriotism and ownership of the country in the youth. Members of the younger generations do not seem to love America simply because they live here. The changes in technology and access to information have led youth to questions that members of previous generations have not answered. They ask loudly (and sometimes discourteously) about issues of racism, homophobia, sexism, poverty, xenophobia, and violence. Youth also seem to have less faith in the moral superiority of the United States in matters of foreign policy. The election of the current president has spurned a greater need for action in many of the young people with whom I have interacted. They believe that the nation is going in the wrong direction and have decided to do something about it by participating in the democracy and taking democracy to the streets. Then, again, there is also a minority of young people who have taken up the president’s pledge to “make America great again.” There is lazy tendency to situate those who can overlook the most egregious aspects of American history and civilization as the most patriotic and those who criticize the nation as non-patriotic. Young people, in my observation, tend not to agree with that perception.

Should we be raising our children as global citizens first or as Americans first?

That, it seems, is a false choice. If one is born or naturalized in the United States (that still works for now), then one is an American. If one is born on Earth, then one is a global citizen. To think we owe allegiance to only a nation and not the world in which the nation exists is dangerous. The ability to think and operate outside of pure self-interest or to correlate the advancement of others with our own is the mark of mental maturity. Rearing a young person to believe that there is nothing more important than the United States is a recipe for certain disaster. We are humans before citizens, and we will do well to recognize human rights and humanity above all else. This is timely considering policies affecting the nation’s southern border.

What measures should schools and local authorities undertake in order to promote patriotism among citizens?

Unquestionably, the nation needs to equitably fund public education at federal, state, and municipal levels. I have always been clear that a primary purpose of education is to develop a strong citizenry. To do so, schools need to center critical thinking; offer broader history courses (including multicultural perspectives); expand civics requirements; demand less standardized testing; orchestrate more visits to libraries and museums; drastically decrease suspensions and expulsions. I assert that if we do not go that route, then we will see more crises like that in Ferguson. By the way, the case of Ferguson was the all-time best civics lesson ever. Young people, in real time, learned the purpose of municipal and state police, National Guard, mayors, prosecuting attorneys, city councils, etc. All the “sensible” and moderate people cried out that voting would have prevented or could have solves the issues, but it is not that simple. Without a keen awareness of what and who one would be voting for, the ballot is not the most attractive option. Those young people who could not sleep at night because of the sirens, helicopters, lights, teargas, and smoke in their neighborhoods now know intimately for what they will be voting. Some are even running for office, campaigning, and registering voters. The same is true of those who were affected by gun violence in Parkland.

When evaluating the most patriotic states in America, what are the top five indicators?

I would take into account:

1. Amount of funding for public education at all academic levels.
2. Treatment of and resources available to the most vulnerable (youth, elderly, indigent, immigrants, disabled veterans, etc.) via social services.
3. Rehabilitative opportunities for incarcerated people during and after their terms of service.
4. Public access to cultural enrichment via parks, museums, sites, etc. that reflect the contributions of past and present inhabitants (of all demographics) of the state.
5. Laws and policies that expand rather restrict voting rights.

Thomas Cushman Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Wellesley College

What are the characteristics of a good patriot?

Many people conflate patriotism with nationalism. George Orwell made a distinction between the two, arguing that patriotism was simply love of "patria", a love like any other kind of love, whereas nationalism tended to be destructive and aggrandizing. A "good patriot, in a sociological sense, would be someone who deeply loves their country and expresses that love through active and committed citizenship that has positive consequences.

What is the relative influence of economic incentives versus patriotic intentions when deciding whether or not to join the military? Has this changed over time?

The main reason for joining the military has never really been economic, most who join may have fewer options, but the literature on military sociology tells us that patriotic motives are very important and probably increase in times of threat, such as 9/11.

Is there a link between socioeconomic class and level of patriotism?

Love of country runs through all social classes, though people lower in socioeconomic status are much more likely to join the military unless they are in ROTC in college.

Has there been a shift in the way younger generations perceive and express their patriotism?

I suspect that less educated younger people are more likely to have stronger feelings of patriotism than, say, the average college student these days. Part of this has to do with the negative view of patriotism, that the left-wing professors who are the overwhelming majority of professors in universities, that filters through the student body. I suspect levels of patriotism in middle America are much higher, say, in high schools.

Should we be raising our children as global citizens first or as Americans first?

There is no such thing, strictly speaking, as a "global citizen" - that is a construct created by cosmopolitan intellectuals who, in general, deeply hostile to nationalism and patriotism. No one gets their rights and their passports from "the global community" - nations are still the main guarantors (or jeopardizers as the case may be) of rights. My own view is that children should value American ideals, and also that they can be patriots and still be critical of the actions of their government (Vietnam war, for instance). I don't see Donald Trump's "making America great again" as a positive kind of patriotism, it has the more dangerous tendencies that Orwell saw in nationalism.

What measures should schools and local authorities undertake in order to promote patriotism among citizens?

I suppose civic education needs to be stressed more: the level knowledge about civics and American values has dismal in many cases - I get some college students at an elite institution who seem to have little knowledge of basic values contained in the bill of rights, especially these days about the precise meaning and specialness of The First Amendment.

When evaluating the most patriotic states in America, what are the top five indicators?

I would say strong patriotic values in families, memories of family members who served and died in wars, willingness of K-12 schools to show the special nature of classical liberal American ideals and values - willingness to deeply study the history and constitution, and not to downplay the darker sides of American history.

Jeffrey P. Whitman Professor of Philosophy, Susquehanna University

What are the characteristics of a good patriot?

A person who understands the Constitution of the United States and is willing to defend the principles upon which it is based.

What is the relative influence of economic incentives versus patriotic intentions when deciding whether or not to join the military? Has this changed over time.

Most officers joined the military for patriotic reasons, and a desire to serve their fellow citizens. Most enlisted soldiers joined for economic or other reasons. However, as they become enculturated into military life, they adopt a more patriotic viewpoint.

Is there a link between socioeconomic class and level of patriotism?

I am afraid this is true. The lower are on the social economic scale, the greater your professed patriotism. However, that patriotism is usually very superficial.

Has there been a shift in the way younger generations perceive and express their patriotism?

I think that younger people express their patriotism more diversely than in the past. They tend to engage in more service to their community and local causes. Military service tends not to appeal to them. In fairness, we have been engaged in a long and dubious war that shows no end.

Should we be raising our children as global citizens first or as Americans first?

You cannot be one without the other. We live in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. We need to recognize that fact.

Methodology

To determine the most patriotic states, WalletHub compared the 50 states across two key dimensions, including “Military Engagement” and “Civic Engagement.”

We evaluated those dimensions using 13 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest level of patriotism.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Military Engagement – Total Points: 50

• Average Military Enlistees per 1,000 Civilian Adults Between 2011 & 2016 (No Prior Service): Triple Weight (~25.00 Points)
• Veterans per 1,000 Civilian Adults: Full Weight (~8.33 Points)
• Active-Duty Military Personnel per 100,000 Civilian Adults: Full Weight (~8.33 Points)
• Share of Civilian Adult Population in Military Reserves: Full Weight (~8.33 Points)

Civic Engagement – Total Points: 50

• Share of Adults Who Voted in 2016 Presidential Election: Double Weight (~10.26 Points)
• Share of Adults Who Voted in 2016 Primary Elections: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
• Volunteer Rate: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
• Volunteer Hours per Resident: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
• AmeriCorps Volunteers per Capita: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
• Peace Corps Volunteers per Capita: Half Weight (~2.56 Points)
• Trial- & Grand-Jury Participation per Civilian Adult Population: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
• Frequency of Google Searches for American Flags: Quarter Weight (~1.28 Points)Note: This metric was adjusted for the total number of searches.
• Civics Education Requirement: Double Weight (~5.13 Points)

 

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense Manpower Data Center, Corporation for National & Community Service, Peace Corps, Military OneSource, United States Elections Project, Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement.

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