What makes a patriot? People through the ages have carried out both horrible and wonderful acts under the banner of patriotism. How then are we to define it? The concept of patriotism is just as debated and relevant today as it was during the Civil War. If our nation is to survive its current challenges, the definition of a true patriot must be clear.

So, what is true patriotism? Only 57 percent of U.S. citizens over 18 described themselves as either “extremely” or “very” patriotic in a study by AARP. Can our nation really survive on 57 percent? I believe these shoddy ­ratings are the result of widespread misuse of the term “patriot.”

Many believe patriotism to be blind obedience to one's nation. Samuel Johnson, one of the most quoted European writers in history, said, ­“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” Are patriots really just a bunch of yes-men who bow to the president's every whim? If so, one wonders how we have managed to remain a democracy all these years.

I have to disagree with Johnson. I prefer to quote Carl Schurz, the German revolutionary and, later, American political scientist who said, “My country … if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.” Schurz's idea of patriotism is often referred to today as “loyal opposition.” This means seeking to change the social behavior of your country out of feelings of national love and patriotic duty. Loyal ­opposition is not the blind obedience of the uninformed and ignorant but rather active and sensible ­reconstruction of a system that one believes to be ­essentially good but critically flawed.

As a student at a somewhat liberal school in an ­exceedingly liberal state, I constantly find myself ­annoyed when my peers talk about “moving to Canada” or some other nonsense. My response? “Go ahead. Please move to Canada. It'll be much easier for the rest of us to fix things without your constant whining.” While some may consider this harsh, I invite anyone who can't see the good in America, despite her blemishes, to leave.

We must love our country enough to stay and work to change it for the better. We must follow the example of civil rights ­activist James Baldwin, who said, “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, ­exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” He and other members of the then-loyal opposition understood that the desire to change America is itself a demonstration of one's love for the nation.

Some say that there is little reason to love America. I don't believe any rational person would accept this. Sure, our country has made mistakes throughout history, but while the ethics behind some of these ­decisions were admittedly murky, it is not right to blame the entire nation for a few morally ambiguous politicians. After all, think of the many wonderful contributions America has made to the world. The the cotton gin, steamboat, cylinder printing press, telephone, light bulb, gasoline-powered car, and even air conditioning were American inventions. The first slave to patent an invention did so in America, and the modern rocket was developed here. The first flight across the Atlantic took off from America. Think of where the world would be now were it not for this country.

Despite our achievements, it is important that we not lose sight of the big picture. Part of loyal opposition in modern America is a long-term world view. We must look into the future and decide what role we will play in it. As Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana said, “A man's feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.”

Many third-world nations receive regular and ­crucial support from America. Our relationship with China will become more significant as that country's wealth and power grow. It will take the practical ­investment of time and resources by loyal activists to ensure America's continued prosperity.

In the words of Norman Thomas, “If you want a symbolic gesture, don't burn the flag; wash it.” F