Key features of patriotism in a "pandemic" society

This paper is focused on the analysis of the specifics of the transformation of patriotism and patriotic values in a critical situation of a "pandemic" society on the example of the spread of a new virus - COVID-19. The pandemic is presented as a global external factor that has a significant impact on patriotic attitudes in the social environment and understanding of patriotism in general at this stage of society's development. There is a need to consider those aspects of the impact of the epidemic and pandemic that lead to social cohesion, strengthening of social ties or, conversely, to a certain social decomposition. The authors considered the theoretical concepts of patriotism and social risks, which resulted in an analysis of possible changes in patriotic attitudes of persons in pandemic conditions. The history of the development of the category "patriotism" is presented, its various forms and types are highlighted. Such types of social reactions as solidarization, polarization and atomization were considered. Special emphasis is placed on the first type of reaction, external and internal factors that contribute to the rise or decline of patriotic sentiment. Seven conditions for the emergence of solidarity, the presence or absence of which determines the vector of development of patriotism, are denoted according to P. Baehr. The authors propounded a hypothesis that a tough state policy of measures to prevent the pandemic, such as the introduction of quarantine and self-isolation, as well as the unstable economic situation in the world, can contribute to the separation of society and reduce the level of social consolidation. It is revealed that the formation of a "postpandemic" society and the transformation of various social phenomena, including patriotism, directly depend on the qualitative indicators of solidarity and its conditions.