The Virtuous Citizen: Patriotism in a Multicultural Society

What does it mean to be a citizen in a multicultural society? And what role must patriotism play in defining our relationship with our country and fellow citizens? In The Virtuous Citizen Tim Soutphommasane answers these questions with a critical defence of liberal nationalism. Considering a range of contemporary political debates from Europe, North America and Australia, over issues including multiculturalism, national history, civic education and immigration, Soutphommasane argues that a love of country should be valued alongside tolerance, mutual respect and public reasonableness as a civic virtue. A liberal form of patriotism, grounded in national identity, is, if anything, essential for political stability in a diverse society. This book is required reading not only for political theorists and philosophers but also for researchers and professionals in political science, sociology, history and public policy.


About the Author
Soutphommasane, Tim: - Tim Soutphommasane is a research fellow at Monash University's National Centre for Australian Studies and a senior researcher with the Sydney-based think tank Per Capita. His recent publications include Reclaiming Patriotism: Nation-Building for Australian Progressives.