The three dimensions of Constitutional Patriotism - Sternberger revisited

Constitutional Patriotism has always been a topic of controversy. Usually linked to Habermas' idea, current authors rather refer to Sternberger's concept of constitutional patriotism, although there is no detailed analysis of it. By taking into account Sternberger's experience of National Socialism this paper will present a new approach of looking at constitutional patriotism: From this point of view, it becomes clear, that there is a three-dimensional conceptualization of constitutional patriotism which includes a cognitive, emotive, and agitive dimension. These three dimensions lead to a democratic concept of action, which combines emotionality with rationality. Sternberger's constitutional patriotism can therefore be meaningfully linked with the current landscape of political science.