Patriotism vs Nationalism

[phk]

These two terms, how do you differ these; and which is better?

[Rob]

Here are my rough definitions: patriotism is love of country, nationalism is pride in country. Obviously, there's overlap between the categories. As for which is better, I'd have to say patriotism.

[John Dibble]

Well, patriotism is simply loving and being proud of your country. Nationalism is believing that your country is superior to all others in pretty much all aspects - it's more of a blind, arrogant pride.

[Lunar]

Nationalism is more of the belief in your country's culture and background while patriotism is focused more on the generic concept of being a citizen of that country and the ideals behind it.

I checked and this is in line with the formal definitions too, shrug.

Personally I give nationalism a negative context while patriotism an indifferent/slightly positive one.  I'm not a big fan of defining oneself by arbitrary borders.

[Citizen James]

My country right or wrong...

A patriot seeks to praise what is right and set right what is wrong. 

A nationalist beleives that all policies are automatically right by virtue of their leaders having made those choices, and that anyone who disagrees is wrong.

Patriots love their nation and it's ideals.

Nationalists love their egos and have difficulty seperating symbols from the ideals they represent.