Flag-waving explained

Flag-waving is a fallacious argument or propaganda technique used to justify an action based on the undue connection to nationalism or patriotism or benefit for an idea, group or country.^{[1] [2]} It is a variant of argumentum ad populum.^[3] This fallacy appeals to emotion instead to logic of the audience aiming to manipulate them to win an argument. All ad populum fallacies are based on the presumption that the recipients already have certain beliefs, biases, and prejudices about the issue.^[4]

If flag-waving is based on connecting to some symbol of patriotism or nationalism it is a form of appeal to stirring symbols which can be based on undue connection not only to nationalism but also to some religious or cultural symbols—for example, a politician appearing on TV with children, farmer, teacher, together with the "common" man, etc.

The act of flag-waving is a superficial display of support or loyalty to, for example, a nation or a political party.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Ferrán Valls i Taberner. Chia-Jui Cheng. Ciencia política comparada y derecho y economía en las relaciones internacionales: estudios en homenaje a Ferran Valls i Taberner. 10 August 2013. 1993. Cátedra de Historia del Derecho y de las Instituciones, Facultad de Derecho, Universidad de Málaga. 7219. 9788460460589 . Today, indeed, flag-waving has become a quite common generic term denoting the deliberate appeal to nationalistic emotions and prejudices..
2. Book: Nicole Hein. Spinning Coverage: An Analysis of The New York Times' Reporting on the War in Iraq in Light of the U.S. Administration's Spin and Propaganda Efforts. 9 August 2013. 7 November 2011. GRIN Verlag. 978-3-656-04831-2. 33. Flag-waving is a popular propaganda technique, meaning that an action is justified "on the grounds that doing [what is promoted, in this case support the war] will make one more patriotic, or in some way benefit a group, country, or idea..
3. Book: Daniel Harry Cohen. Arguments and Metaphors in Philosophy. 9 August 2013. 1 January 2004. University Press of America. 978-0-7618-2677-4. 59. ...ad Hominen ridicule, ad Misehcordiam tears, or ad Populum flag-waving - all logical fallacies....
4. Book: Kathleen Bell. Developing arguments: strategies for reaching audiences. registration. 9 August 2013. February 1990. Wadsworth Pub. Co.. 284. 9780534121921 . The ad populum argument presumes that the audience already holds a particular attitude and specific beliefs on the issue..
5. Book: Allied Chambers. The Chambers Dictionary. 14 August 2013. 1998. Allied Publishers. 978-81-86062-25-8. 609.