Thomas Paine, in his work “The American Crisis,” uses the terms “summer soldier” and “sunshine patriot” to refer to individuals who only support the American Revolution when times are easy and the fighting is going well. According to Paine, these individuals are willing to fight and die for their country. Moreover, they will abandon the cause as soon as things get tough. In Paine’s view, these individuals are not truly dedicated to the cause of freedom and are unwilling to make the necessary sacrifices to secure it.
Paine’s depictions of the “summer soldier” and “sunshine patriot” are appropriate in that they accurately describe an individual willing to fight for a cause only when it is convenient or popular. However, it is essential to note that not all individuals who may fall under these categories are necessarily insincere or opportunistic. For example, some people may genuinely believe in a cause but lack the commitment or fortitude to see it through.
The difference between the two archetypes is subtle. A “summer soldier” is only willing to fight during good times, while a “sunshine patriot” is only willing to support a cause when it is popular or convenient. Muller notes that many Americans are only politically engaged during election season, particularly in presidential elections, and often do not participate in local and midterm elections (Muller, 2022). This can be seen as a form of “convenient patriotism,” where individuals only engage in the democratic process when it is convenient or when a high-profile race generates significant media attention. This behavior aligns with Paine’s description of the “sunshine patriot” who only supports a cause when it is popular or convenient. Muller, Saldin, and Teles provide examples that support Paine’s idea that some individuals are only willing to support a cause when it is convenient or popular (Saldin & Teles, 2020). These examples demonstrate how the “sunshine patriot” and “summer soldier” concepts are still relevant today and how they can be applied to political engagement and the response to political figures.
To conclude, Thomas Paine’s use of “summer soldier” and “sunshine patriot” highlights the importance of commitment and dedication in fighting for a cause, especially in difficult times. While not all individuals who may fit these categories are necessarily insincere or opportunistic, Paine’s archetypes remain relevant today in political engagement and the response to political figures. In essence, Paine’s work serves as a reminder that true patriotism requires steadfastness and perseverance in adversity.
References
Muller, A. (2022). Voter’s Guide. Frontline.
Saldin, R. P., & Teles, S. M. (2020). Never Trump: The revolt of the conservative elites. Oxford University Press, USA.