Patriopretensism

Patriopretensism or patriopretensionism (more Latinate, longer) is the performative or strategic imitation of patriotism—using national symbols, slogans, or “love of country” talk to gain status, power, or moral cover, while acting in ways that undermine the country’s actual well-being. This is also described as the ideology or habit of feigned patriotism, especially when used to justify predatory politics, silence dissent, or launder personal ambition as “national loyalty.”

Signs of patriopretensism:

Flags/slogans as a substitute for real civic duty
“Patriot” as a brand, not a responsibility

Selective outrage: “love of country” only when convenient

Treating criticism as “treason” to shut down accountability

Etymology:
patrio- = fatherland / nation (Latin patria)
pretens- = “pretend/claim” (Latin praetendere → “to put forward/pretend/claim”)
-ism = ideology / practice

Example:
“Dude screams about love of country but supports foreign aid and wars in other countries —pure patriopretensism.”

Example:
“Every time accountability shows up, they call it unpatriotic and accuse them of 'hating our country'—patriopretensism.”

by ParadiseKingdom777 December 28, 2025