What we call 'Patriotism' is really more akin to radical nationalism in Europe. The only major difference is that we're the only superpower and we aren't afraid to demonstrate our reach every few years. We take a lot of pride in knowing that, so pardon the swagger. We're just as intolerable as the rest of the Imperial Powers were, except our experience in both World Wars wasn't traumatic enough to make us stop being pompous jackasses.