Liberal Democratic Societies and Patriotism - The pedagogical relevance ofa theoretically problematic relationship

The author shows why even Liberal Democratic societies require a commitment to value systems and how this conviction has gained ground in the recent d ebate on communitarianism. Important stages in the American discussion of t he last thirty years are outlined; it emerges that all propositions on how to conceive the relation between the Liberal Democratic society and patriot ism need to be dropped. A closer analysis, however, reveals that in additio n to aporetic models there are those that are "merely" questionable as rega rds their practical value. The article concludes with reflections on how su itable pedagogical institutions could help deal with the practical dangers pointed out.