Patriotism Patriotism: Unit 5
Patriotism Patriotism: Unit 5
Unit 5
Patriotism
Introduction
You looked at many areas regarding patriotism in Grades 9 and 10. You also learnt about a new dimension
of patriotism that includes fighting poverty, terrorism and working for the public interest on voluntary
basis. There will be more discussion in this unit on these and other topics related to national issues,
including development and voluntarism.
L E S S O N 1
The Bases of Patriotism
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: History can be distorted because historians
have different world views, political interests and
enumerate the factors that contribute to the
motives. So there may be biased and exaggerated
building of a sense of patriotism.
historical accounts to create a false impression and
mislead people. You need to avoid these kinds of
Why is it important to learn the history of problems to know more about the history of your
Ethiopia?
country. How can you do this?
History is a narration about the past based on facts. • You can do this by reading a variety of
Every historian should use facts to write history. historical accounts written by different
Even though most historical accounts are based on historians. By doing this you can compare
evidence, some of them can be misleading and far and contrast different historical perspectives
from the truth. This is because some writers use and have a broad understanding of the
certain facts and even create evidences to construct past.
history that is not true for whatever reasons. • You have to examine the sources, facts and
It is important to understand history in order evidence historians use to write history.
to understand the present. Knowing what has Historians may use some sources that
happened in the past can help us to understand are less reliable. Histories written based
and solve current problems. True history teaches on primary sources and other objective
us values whereas fabricated history creates false secondary sources are more reliable than
histories distorted by personal views.
impressions that are used to mislead us. This means
that the history you learn plays an important role in
shaping your values and beliefs. This is why we say History of the Ethiopian Flag
that understanding the true history is important in Knowledge of your flag is one aspect of knowing
order to develop a sense of patriotic feeling towards your history. The flag in Ethiopia has a long history.
our country. You have to search for the true history It extends well over a thousand years. Some give a
of Ethiopia to have clear understanding of the past religious interpretation and trace the origin of the
and develop the sense of patriotism. existing flag to a rainbow which appeared after the
The role of a historian is to get closer and closer biblical flood.
to the truth of the past. This requires gathering facts Traditionally there was a tendency to relate the
and evidence from reliable sources then refining different colours of the flag with different regions: for
and interpreting them with care. example, red representing Tigrai, green for Shoa and
Read the following quotes and discuss their meanings. You can do it in groups or pairs.
“The problem to be faced is how to combine loyalty to one‛s own tradition with reverence for
different traditions.” Abraham Joshua Heschel
“The only way to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you
don‛t agree with.” Eleanor Holmes Norton
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your rights to say it.” Evelyn Beatrice
Hall
“The price of democratic way of life is a growing appreciation of people‛s differences, not merely
as tolerable, but as the essence of a rich and rewarding human experience.” Jerome Nathason
REMEMBER
A good knowledge of history helps us to understand the present, solve current
problems and develop patriotic feeling.
The major goal of a genuine historian is to get closer and closer to the truth; to
collect reliable data from different sources and interpret this data objectively.
You get good values from true history; exaggerated and falsified history influences
us to develop negative and biased attitudes.
The present flag in green, yellow and red probably became the national flag of
Ethiopia during the time of Empress Zewditu Menelik in 1918.
The 1955 Constitution recognized, for the first time, the present colours of the
Ethiopian flag.
You have to use your knowledge of the past to understand differences and to treat
people with tolerance.
L E S S O N 2
Responsibilities Required from
Patriotic Citizens
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: and wrong. Human societies have common values
explain what the responsibilities of a patriotic that govern their behaviours and actions. Our
citizen are. upbringing and religion are the main sources of
our values, moral rules and norms that control our
be patriotic citizens.
behaviour. Since we have values and moral norms
we can evaluate what is right and wrong and then
How do you know whether something is right?
decide what is acceptable and unacceptable before
Do you think that fighting to defend your
making a decision. We deal with ethical decisions
country is right?
in our everyday lives. Most people do not steal
You learnt that patriotism has many meanings and because it is not morally right to take what does not
dimensions. The traditional meaning of patriotism belong to you, most do not lie because lying often
focuses on defending your country in times of hurts others. Social harmony is maintained when
war. It is mainly related to military engagements the majority hold the same set of moral standards.
when your country is invaded. This is not the only Therefore, as a patriotic citizen you have to act
expression of patriotism. For example, when you are ethically.
concerned for the well-being of your community,
What might you have to consider before
or your country, you are being a patriotic citizen.
making a moral decision?
Patriotic citizens not only think about the well-
being of their country but they also act ethically. Citizenship allows people to take part in society as
You have come across the word ethics and ethical active participants. To be a good citizen includes
in the previous textbooks. You have to get the clear doing your part for the public interest, serving
meaning of the words. your community and promoting the development
The term ethics can be defined as the rules of democracy in your country. The contribution of
or standards governing the behaviour of a person every citizen can make a difference in promoting
or member of a profession. For example, different harmony and equality. We can promote peace,
professions have their own ethics such as medical democracy and development when each citizen
ethics or ethics of journalism. Ethics is a system upholds the Constitution, carrying out personal and
of beliefs that deals with what is morally right civic responsibilities.
CASE STUDY
Chaltu is a nurse working at a government hospital diseases such as diabetes and cancer; they have to
in Ethiopia. Many patients come to the hospital from wait for several days in order to get treatment. A
far away places because the hospital is a referral person offers Chaltu 500 Birr to get jump the queue
hospital. There are many patients on the waiting list and get treatment prior to all other patients on the
as it provides good care. Some patients have chronic waiting list.
Do you think it would be ethical for Chaltu to accept the offer and give that person service
prior to other patients? Explain your answer.
What would happen if many other nurses working at the same hospital did the same for other
people?
CASE STUDY
Aster is working in a government organization. She is In groups of five, discuss the following
working as a clerk in the Purchasing Department. Her questions and let your group leader summarize
boss continuously asks her for a date but she always their points to the class.
refuses politely. He soon threatens that she could
Why is what Aster‛s boss is doing, morally
lose her job at any time. This makes Aster deeply
wrong?
uncomfortable and unhappy in her work. She spends
much of the day avoiding her boss and is not able What advice would you give Aster?
to get on with her work properly. She has spoken What do you think would happen to Aster
to other female members of the organization and if she exposed the wrong deeds of her
has found that she is not the only person who he boss?
harasses. These other members of staff have started What might be the benefit of ‘whistle
to gather evidence (dates and what was done) against blowing‛ in these kinds of situations?
her boss.
CASE STUDY
Drunk drivers in a city in Ethiopia have recently identified the driver as his friend. If he arrested his
killed six people. The police chief of the city ordered friend for drunk driving, the man may be sent into
the police to arrest drivers who are drunk. One night prison for at least a year and his family would suffer.
a policeman found a man who was driving at high The policeman was faced with a conflict. His duty
speed. When he stopped the car he found that the was to arrest the driver and protect the citizens of the
driver had been drinking heavily. The policeman town but he also felt loyalty to his friend.
REMEMBER
Patriotic citizens have many responsibilities including working for the well-being
of their community and promoting the interest of their country.
Our everyday activities involve ethical decisions because we assess what is right
and wrong before we take action.
Sometimes our private interests and the common good come into conflict.
As patriotic citizens you are responsible to promote the public interest, serve your
community and contribute to the development of democracy in your country.
L E S S O N 3
Issues of Development
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: We have mentioned that the major goal of
Issues of Development
CASE STUDY
Development indicators related to five countries
Indicators Ethiopia Tanzania Ghana Kenya Norway
Literacy rate 45.1% 80.5% 76.9% 86.9% 99%
Infant mortality rate 92 95 59 57 4
Life expectancy 49.2 46 59.1 55.3 79.7
Average income
per person/GDP (US$) 156.80 316 484.8 546.80 3,918.10
Population per
Physician/doctors 34,988 44,133 11,111 7576 281
Source: Encarta 2008
Examine the figures in the table and compare and contrast the similarities and differences
between the five countries.
Which of the five countries is most developed? Why?
Which country is least developed? Why?
How does Ethiopia compare to the other less developed countries?
What do you think is the role of Ethiopians to help meet the development goals?
Discuss your answers in groups.
CASE STUDY
Rates of infant mortality are one of the indicators of and the Pacific it is 29; and for Latin America and
poverty as well as development. Child mortality rates the Caribbean it is 27.
are high in poor countries while the rates are low in Source: Encarta 2008
developed countries. For example, deaths of infants
under the age of five per thousand live births in Sub- Can you explain why infant mortality is higher
Saharan Africa is 160; in South Asia it is 83; in the in undeveloped countries?
Middle East and North Africa it is 46; for East Asia
We have recognized that Ethiopia is one of the It is also rich in human resources since Ethiopia has
poorest countries in the world; but this does not large number of working people. Ethiopia also has
mean that Ethiopia is poor in all aspects. It is rich many tourist attractions. Harar, Tiya, Gonder and
in natural resources such as rivers, wide areas of Axum are examples of popular historic sites. There
cultivable land and has a large amount of livestock. are natural tourist attractions including the Bale
Issues of Development
and Semien Mountains that have beautiful scenery of Ethiopia, with their different cultures, clothing,
as well as endemic animals and birds. The people music, dances, houses and craft products, appeal to
tourists.
CASE STUDY
Agricultural potential of Ethiopia
Ethiopia has a very high potential in the agricultural Discuss the following questions based on
sector. For example, it has the greatest number of the case study.
livestock in Africa, tenth in the world. Ethiopia also Do you think that Ethiopia really has a
exports the most livestock in Africa. According to a high potential in the agricultural sector?
sample census in 2001 and 2003, Ethiopia has: Why?
• 40 million cattle Do you think that we are getting maximum
• 25.5 million sheep benefit from our livestock resources?
Explain your answer.
• 23.4 million goats
Do you think Ethiopia has any other
• 2.3 million camels
agricultural potential to promote its
In addition, Ethiopia has a suitable climate and development?
type of soil for producing high quality tea, coffee, fruit, Why do you think Ethiopia remains poor if
vegetables, flowers, cotton, oilseeds and pulses. it has a high potential for development?
Issues of Development
REMEMBER
Development can be defined as growth or change from poverty into more advanced
and better living conditions.
Indicators of poverty help you to understand universal indicators of
development.
The Millennium Development Goals focus on eradicating poverty; reducing infant
mortality, increasing the incomes of poor people and providing a primary education
for all.
Though Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world, it is not poor in
natural resources such as rivers, wide areas of cultivable land, a large amount of
livestock wealth and tourist attractions.
L E S S O N 4
Voluntarism on a National Basis
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to: other public authorities and are free to
explain voluntarism and its importance for govern themselves without interference.
addressing national problems. • They are often active in the public arena and
their activities are aimed at contributing to
What is the role of volunteering in promoting the common good.
the national interest? Volunteers contribute to the well-being of others
at various levels: local, national and international.
You discussed issues related to voluntarism in There are millions of volunteers all over the world
Grades 9 and 10. Voluntarism is contributing one’s who work for the betterment of communities and
time or talent for educational, social, charitable nations. There are several thousand international
and other purposes, freely without expectation of volunteers who move outside their countries to
compensation. People in many countries contribute provide voluntary services. For example, many
to the community through voluntary efforts. They volunteers have come from the United States, the
do this by providing services such as caring for United Kingdom and other countries to teach in
the poor, providing education and by involving schools, colleges, universities and hospitals and to
themselves in various community development provide services in Ethiopia.
activities.
Voluntary activities or organizations at
Though voluntary services can be provided on community, national or international levels share a
an individual basis, in most cases people with similar common goal: they aim to promote the well-being of
purposes form or join voluntary organizations to people. But they differ from each other based on their
achieve common goals. There are many voluntary focus. Some voluntary activities focus on local and
organizations that focus on different social, economic community problems such as water shortages, school
and environmental issues. Voluntary organizations or health problems. Other voluntary organizations
are different from other organizations in some ways. focus on national issues such as fighting against
For example: HIV/AIDS, gender inequality and poverty.
• They are different from purely social People participate in voluntary activities to
groupings because they have some degree promote the interest of their country in many ways.
of formal organizational existence.
They contribute their money, talent and time for the
• They are non-profit making organizations. sake of the national interest. Voluntary efforts have
• They are independent of government or served many purposes in the time of peace and war.
CASE STUDY
Tolosa is a teacher in one of the primary schools in The committee managed to collect 48,013 Birr.
Oromia Region. He was a student of the same school. Some people donated furniture and equipment for the
The school lacks many facilities, including desks, and school. The school ended up with new desks and
the building has not been maintained for years. Some chairs, the broken doors and windows were fixed and
of the doors and windows are broken. the walls were decorated.
Tolosa decided to do something by mobilizing the Do you know people like Tolosa who take
local people and former students of the school. First the initiative for these kinds of voluntary
he went to the elders in the village and persuaded activities?
them to support him. He told them his plan was to
What is the significance of such
collect money from the village people and ex-students
voluntary activities in promoting national
of the school. They agreed. He sent messages to
development?
former students of the school who live in different
parts of the country. Then he formed a committee List problems that might be solved through
that included people from the village and teachers of these kinds of voluntary activities at a
community level.
the school.
For example, thousands of Ethiopians have requires assistance will be a positive advantage in
contributed their efforts and lives to defend the the long run. For example, our environment needs
freedom and independence of their country. to be cared for, this could include removing rubbish
During the period of the Italian invasion (1936-1941) from an area of beauty or planting trees in a place
Ethiopians offered strong resistance organizing of deforestation. There are many poor members of
themselves into patriotic groups. They formed secret our society who could benefit from help, such as
groups to spy on enemy positions and they created the elderly and street children. Giving your time
war plans. They attacked the convoys of the enemy, to help to raise awareness on the issue of HIV can
prisons and camps. Women patriots contributed by save the lives of others in the future. Your voluntary
taking part in the fight against the enemy, nursing activities can change the lives of others and support
wounded patriots, providing food and comfort and the development of Ethiopia.
working as spies. Those Ethiopian patriots continued Through volunteering you are not only
their struggle until the Italian forces were pushed out supporting your country but may also gain valuable
of the country. They did this without the expectation skills and experience. Many volunteers feel great
of pay or other material gains. personal satisfaction when they give their time to
Citizens can involve themselves in many serve worthy causes. They often meet new people
activities to promote national interests. In our and make new friends. Volunteering has also been
society there are many areas where help is required a way for many people to move into new careers, by
to support the members of our community and to volunteering first to get into an organization. There
benefit our society as a whole. Any activity you can are many benefits to volunteering both personally
involve yourself in that is of benefit in an area that and for society.
Identify areas in the Ethiopian Constitution where voluntary services may be required in order
to uphold the rights of citizens.
Choose one that interests you and identify what voluntary activities could support this right.
CASE STUDY
Since there is no modern health institution for heart the government, he started the construction of the
surgery in Ethiopia, people with heart problems have building for the Cardiac Centre. He gained support
to go to Europe or America to get medical treatment. to get medical equipment and professionals from
Most of the people, including children with chronic abroad. Belay always says that he is happy to come
heart problems, lead painful and hopeless lives to this country to help children suffering from heart
because they are not able to travel abroad due to diseases.
the cost of the treatment. Source: adapted from Kum Neger. Amharic Magazine,
Belay Abegaz is a medical doctor who has Volume 5, Number 58, November 2006, Addis Ababa
lived abroad for many years. He came back to this
country, volunteering to help his people. He quit What do you think of Dr Belay‛s voluntary
his job and attractive income because of his dream work?
of saving the lives of children suffering from heart How can he be seen as a role model for
diseases. He came to Ethiopia aiming to help children others?
who suffer from chronic heart problems. To achieve Do you know other volunteers? What do
this he founded Children’s Heart Fund of Ethiopia they do and why do they do it?
(CHFE). With the help of his friends, the people and
REMEMBER
Voluntarism is contributing one’s time or talent to help others in the community
and to promote the national interest without regard for compensation.
Though voluntary services can be provided on individual basis, in most cases
people with similar purposes form or join voluntary organizations to achieve their
common goals.
Volunteers contribute to the well-being of others at different levels: local, national
and international.
A patriotic citizen participates in voluntary activities to promote the interest of
her/his country by defending sovereignty, promoting development and defending
the rights of citizens enshrined in the Constitution.
UNIT SUMMARY
A good knowledge of history helps us to understand and solve current problems and develop patriotic
feelings. Citizens have a responsibility to work to promote the interests of their country. You have to know
that our actions and decisions are related to ethical questions because we assess what is right and wrong
before we do something. We are responsible for promoting the public interest but sometimes our personal
interests and the common good come into conflict.
Promoting development is one of the main responsibilities of patriotic citizens. There are universal
indicators of development. Some of them are income level, average life expectancy, infant mortality and
literacy rates. The Millennium Development Goals include reducing infant mortality rates, eradicating
poverty and eradicating gender inequality in education. Though Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in
the world, it is rich in natural resources such as rivers, wide areas of cultivable land, livestock and tourist
attractions.
Volunteering is an important way of contributing for the development of the country. People who share
similar purposes form voluntary organizations to achieve common goals. Volunteers contribute for the
well-being of others at the local, national and international levels. A patriotic citizen has a responsibility to
promote the interests of their country, defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, promote its development,
defend the Constitution and maintain domestic peace.
GLOSSARY
Ethics: A system of accepted beliefs which control behaviour.
Historical account: A description of a historical event.
Infant mortality rate: The number of child deaths (under 5 years) within a particular country per
1000 live births.
Prejudice: The unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially often based on
a stereotype.
Primary sources: Sources which are first hand and more reliable sources of history.
Secondary sources: Sources which are not products of the period and place of a historical
event.