Loyalty
Loyalty is demanded, more or less, by every group to which we belong: sometimes
asking for constant and increasing commitment; sometimes putting intense emotional
pressure on us, guilt-inducing, if we do not follow the rules, fulfill our commitments
to the cause.
Sometimes these rules of behavior are explicitly expressed in lists of
specific rules, laws, Do's
& Don'ts, commandments. Sometimes these rules are implicitly suggested
by the cultural assumptions of a society: the accepted customs, conventions, standards
of behavior as to what is expected, typical, or normal; the traditional roles
we play within unquestioned myths; the kinds of heroes and villains seen in our
literatures: "Good Christians never do that . . . good girls don't
do that . . . Scouts shouldn't . . ."
Most groups have goals
(whether an explicit ideology or an implicit general direction); a structure
of some kind, that is, a set of procedures for doing things; and leaders,
or decision-makers, who influence or control the power of the group.
Acceptance or adjustment within the group, "fitting in," "knowing
one's place," or "learning the ropes" is a common theme in bonding
appeals; for example, many war movies have sub-plots about the misfit or oddball
learning teamwork.
Loyalty usually involves a submission to authority, or the acceptance of
a guidance or control by a leader. Orders, commands, directives, imperatives
("Do this . . . Do that ... You should do this") imply a leader/
follower, stronger/ weaker relationship.
Loyalty to the group is often identified with loyalty to a particular leader.
Very strong charismatic leaders, such as Hitler, have often been personified
as being the very soul or essence of the group (e.g., "Hitler is Germany";
"Lenin lived, Lenin lives, Lenin will live"). In some situations,
groups can bond well by focusing on a leader ("Long Live Chairman Mao");
however, some (usually, rivals for power) have denounced such a "cult of
personality" as working against group bonding.
Bonding favors the interests of the group over those of the individual.
Bonding seeks an enthusiastic support of the group and its leaders, and discourages
dissent, criticism, diversity, disobedience, and insubordination within the
group.
In addition to any external threat, those who would disagree or disaffiliate
are seen as a serious internal threat to weaken or disintegrate the bonding.
Thus, groups often make extreme demands for loyalty, viewing any dissent as
betrayal, treachery, or treason. In political affairs, this demand for orthodoxy
has led to the countless purges and "witch hunts" throughout history.
Words which intensify Loyalty
allegiance
authority
commitment
deference
devoted devotion
duty
faith faithful
fidelity
guidance
homage
honor
leader leadership
loyal loyalty
oath
obedience obedient
obligation
patriot patriotic
pledge
promise
respect
reverence
true
trust trustworthy
unchanging
unquestioning
unswerving
unwavering
vow
"Attack words" intensify the opposite, undesirable qualities:
disloyal, treacherous, traitor, mutinous, rebel, disobedient, insubordinate,
false, faithless, seditious, etc.