Nathan's Blog 7: Proooud to be an American

American's have a certain swagger. American nationalism is like caviar, its an acquired taste. People living inside the borders know it, people outside of the United States know it. American Nationalism is viewed as brash unapologetic. American's view of their nation comes from their shared common background but also through the proliferation of the american education system.

Anderson's idea that kids are instilled with nationalism. We get stories of heroic american characters, who's stories are probably much more hyped than the actual person. Kids are indoctrinated with the notion that America is the best country in the world from their first history class. American nationalism requires that its people believe whole heartedly that they are better than the "other". I imagine it is similar for all nations, but in America we don't just accept being good at one thing we expect to be the best. That belief that America is great is what is instilled in children through education, but also through myth to those outside of America.