The populace is so varied that there is almost nothing that we all have in common. And I think it is easy to see that this pride in country and disdain, or even hatred for other countries can easily turn to violence. Interestingly, groups are both real and imaginary at the same time. Groups and labels would not exist without a human brain to make the distinctions. But once enough people accept the same imaginary construct, and act as though it were true, it becomes a social reality.
Illusion becomes reality.
Let me put it in terms more familiar to you now. You all eagerly make your affiliation with this university important to your life and your identity. To prove your loyalty to yourself and others, you daily wear a different article of clothing with some UCLA slogan smeared across it. What school spirit. I'm not sure why you all do this.