Blood Sacrifice and the Nation

The authors argue that American patriotism is a civil religion organized around a sacred flag, whose followers engage in periodic blood sacrifice of their own children to unify the group. Using an anthropological theory, this groundbreaking book presents and explains the ritual sacrifices and regeneration that constitute American nationalism, the factors making particular elections or wars successful or unsuccessful rituals, the role of the mass media in the process, and the sense of malaise that has pervaded American society during the post-World War II period.

• A new and compelling theory of American patriotism as a civil religion
• Explains in detail how flag ritual and symbolism bear on every aspect of American life
• Offers an explanation of why American society has felt a lack of direction since World War II