Patriotism, a Menace to Liberty

At times when the call for patriotism grows loudest, beware! Emma Goldman's landmark speech on that oft-praised American virtue presents a scintillating critique of nationalism, military spending, border walls, and imperial wars, each propped up by life-or-death demands placed on our citizenry. Sounds familiar, no? In this zine, the iconic anarchist firebrand details the human and monetary costs of the government's waste, fraud, and abuse in the name of patriotism, noting "really peaceful countries do not waste life and energy in war preparations." Citing other larger-than-life writers like Tolstoy and Samuel Johnson, Goldman asserts that patriotism is one of the greatest threats to a truly free society. In a voice that's rousing, accessible, and direct, the message of these pages is more urgent than ever.