UAF professor weighs in on patriotism

July 8, 2016

University Relations

A recent WalletHub article naming Alaska as the nation's second-most patriotic state quoted Brandon Boylan, UAF assistant professor of political science.

The article, published before the July 4 weekend, reported on a study of 12 metrics that address military engagement, voting habits and civil-education requirements. The study found that Alaska ranks behind only Virginia in patriotism.

Boylan distinguished between critical and uncritical patriots. "Both types support the country, but a critical patriot recognizes the country’s strengths while working to remedy its weaknesses," he said.

Alaska has the most veterans per capita of any state. Only Georgia has a higher percentage of residents who enlisted in the military. WalletHub, a personal finance website that has branched into diverse topics, asked Boylan to comment on economic and patriotic incentives to join the military.

"These considerations are weighed differently by individuals," Boylan said. Distrust of U.S. policies has grown, especially since the Vietnam War, he noted. "If it is possible that the government could commit troops to an unjust or unnecessary war, then potential recruits require, and rightfully so, an array of personal economic benefits and assurances to join."