American Patriotism and the Obama Presidency: How an Attempt to Rebrand Patriotism Created Increased Political Polarization in the United States

In the post-9/11 era, patriotism has remained a vital and evolving concept in the United States. This thesis argues that the Obama administration's efforts to rebrand patriotism significantly increased political polarization within American society. By examining primary sources, including memoirs and speeches, the research traces the development of patriotism throughout the Obama presidency. The analysis is supported by news and magazine articles, along with a variety of secondary sources, to reinforce the arguments presented. Additionally, this thesis positions President Obama's interpretation of patriotism on a scale within John Bodnar's concepts of war-based patriotism and empathetic patriotism. It examines the coherence between Obama's words and his actions, revealing that his words often did not match his deeds due to multiple different factors, for instance, right-wing criticism. The emphasis on patriotism by Obama was sometimes exaggerated, often due to criticism,...Show moreIn the post-9/11 era, patriotism has remained a vital and evolving concept in the United States. This thesis argues that the Obama administration's efforts to rebrand patriotism significantly increased political polarization within American society. By examining primary sources, including memoirs and speeches, the research traces the development of patriotism throughout the Obama presidency. The analysis is supported by news and magazine articles, along with a variety of secondary sources, to reinforce the arguments presented. Additionally, this thesis positions President Obama's interpretation of patriotism on a scale within John Bodnar's concepts of war-based patriotism and empathetic patriotism. It examines the coherence between Obama's words and his actions, revealing that his words often did not match his deeds due to multiple different factors, for instance, right-wing criticism. The emphasis on patriotism by Obama was sometimes exaggerated, often due to criticism, complicating his ability to fulfill his articulated vision of the concept. The aftermath of 9/11, particularly the War on Terror, posed challenges for the Obama administration to be perceived as empathetic patriots, thus contributing to the broader political divide that arose in the post-9/11 era.Show less

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American Patriotism and the Obama Presidency: How an Attempt to Rebrand Patriotism Created Increased Political Polarization in the United States