Blind patriotism is out and constructive patriotism is in: Critical thinking is the key to global citizenship

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between blind patriotism, constructive patriotism, global citizenship and critical thinking in pre-service teachers. The study group includes 372 teacher candidates studying at a state university in the Central Anatolian region of Turkey. Data collection tools used in the study were the Patriotic Attitude Scale, the Universal Citizenship Scale, and the Critical Thinking Tendency Scale. The research findings suggest that there are negative relationships between constructive patriotism and blind patriotism, between blind patriotism and critical thinking, and between universal citizenship and blind patriotism. In other words, as blind patriotism scores increase, the level of universal citizenship, critical thinking and constructive patriotism decreases. The research results also reveal that there is a positive and significant relationship between constructive patriotism, critical thinking and universal citizenship. That is, as the critical thinking tendencies of pre-service teachers increase, constructive patriotism and universal citizenship scores increase. A society having critical thinking tendencies would be more democratic, and more correct decisions could be made on political, social, economic and societal issues. It therefore distances people from blind patriotism and makes it easier for them to become constructive global citizens.