American political scientist and diplomat Francis John McConnell was renowned for his careful handling of foreign affairs. He was born in 1902 and experienced some of the most turbulent times in the 20th century, such as the Cold War and both world wars. His opinions on nationalism and patriotism were influenced by his experiences.

According to McConnell, genuine patriotism involves appreciating the contributions and ideas of other countries while also comprehending the country's advantages and disadvantages. He thought that more harmonious and fruitful relationships could result from encouraging respect for one another between opposing viewpoints.

Imagine two gardeners caring for their individual plots of land, each putting forth great effort to create a beautiful and productive environment in their own area. Since the health of one garden can have a positive impact on its neighbor, they may see value in sharing seeds and techniques rather than competing with or disregarding each other's efforts. Similar to this, McConnell argues that we can improve our understanding and collaboration by recognizing and appreciating the strengths of everyone, including those who disagree with us.

This point of view was especially pertinent during periods of increased nationalism, when nations frequently saw one another as enemies rather than possible allies. McConnell promoted a patriotism that fosters cross-border communication and respect, advancing the notion that everyone can make a significant contribution to the advancement of the world.

McConnell aimed to disprove constrictive notions of patriotism and advance a more tolerant and compassionate view of international affairs through his writings and lectures. His writings continue to have an impact on conversations about how different countries can cooperate.