Americans love to feel good about themselves. The exhaustive yearning to connect with our leadership, our ideals, and our capabilities has been a primary driver of American electoral and cultural politics, and is perhaps one of our country’s greatest narratives. In the face of domestic or foreign adversity, Americans thirst to rid themselves of national self-doubt and to unify around national pride, the eternal stimulant of the American people. Such a mentality seems quite apposite since last Tuesday’s election as our generation — Generation Y — now finds itself at the helm of a resurgence of the ultimate restorative device: patriotism.

The last wave of such intense patriotic inclinations hit during the ascent of Ronald Reagan in the early 1980s following the hostage crisis in Iran. Inheriting a damaged foreign policy and a slowed economy, Reagan sought to strongly redefine patriotism from devotion to one’s country, to belief in the nation and support of the military. “The land of the free and the home of the brave” engendered a positive national morale to revolve around American principles and purposes, and to reverse the negative perception of the military following the Vietnam War. Convincing both the Baby Boomers and Generation X (those born in 1965-1981) that it was socially acceptable to love America again became the ultimate task of the Republican Party.

To his credit, Reagan’s plan worked. American patriotism became American exceptionalism, and young twenty-somethings flooded the U.S. Army. An article published at Reagan’s height in The National Review wrote, “In 1986 more than 680,000 Americans sought to enlist to fill 325,000 positions in the U.S. Army.” While the outpouring was due in part to Reagan’s effort to make volunteering in the army more financially attractive, the resurgence of patriotism among young people cannot be discounted. The “Reagan Effect” transformed the definition of patriotism for young adults and built a national pride in the mold of superiority, exceptionalism, and militarism. But it is important to consider, to what extent had patriotism become a synonym for militaristic nationalism?

It is evident that the political discourse of the 1980s was within different parameters, yet it is interesting to think what our generation’s relationship with the military will be after this post-election honeymoon period is over. In light of our deteriorating economy and dejected war, it appears that the Barack Obama’s ascent to power resembles that of Reagan and the Democrat’s definitive victory has invoked a palpable patriotic spirit from young adults on the left. It’s hip to be a patriot. Right now, everyone claims to love America. But will we ultimately respond to the “Reagan Effect” and line up to be enlisted? Will patriotism maintain its military affiliation?

For our generation — the Millenials — I do not think that will be the case. The neoconservative interpretation of patriotism that has since gripped the term’s definition harps on the Bush Administration’s “us versus them” mentality. Irrespective of your political affiliation, it is hard to deny that the current political climate is now putting an emphasis on unity. Obama’s message that “we can” underscores his cosmopolitan direction and departure from divisive patriotism. The U.S. is becoming a different type of city on a hill and its patriotism now reflects a self-contained pride. Our excitement is derived from an alternative conception of what our country is capable of. Perhaps this surge in national self-esteem indicates that it is not mutually exclusive to be patriotic and anti-war.

We have not come of age in the most wholesome of times nor have the past few months bolstered our confidence in the U.S. government. Certainly the Monica Lewinsky affair, September 11th, The Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, and the current recession will all have conclusive effects on our view of the federal government, our leadership, and our role in the world. But between 21.6 million and 23.9 million young adults voted in last week’s election, according to Pew Research Center, which suggests that we are, at least, optimistic. Over 123 million people nationwide voted altogether — that is exceptional.

Perhaps patriotism is losing its military connotation as defined by the right, but the nationalist association will be harder to shake. Will the current surge in patriotism maintain an alignment with nationalism, but with a Democratic face? In light of Obama’s overwhelming support from young voters, in redefining patriotism we should place a premium on questioning our leaders — Democrats or Republicans. Right now it feels as though everyone loves Obama, and I too am confident in his capabilities as president, but to fully depart from history, Generation Y should move to view patriotism as continually challenging our leadership to do more. It’s hip to be a patriot, but in order to form a more perfect Union, we need to own up to our nation’s problems and, because we love our country, see how we can fix them.

Laura Temel is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. Contact her at ltemel@cornellsun.com. The Girl With Kaleidoscope Eyes appears alternate Wednesdays.