History Main / MyCountryRightOrWrong

* Seen in ''Film/DasBoot'', where the submariners, except for the 1st Lieutenant, disliked the Nazis and were just doing their job. Arguably necessary for the audience to be able to sympathize with people fighting for Nazi Germany, and to some extent TruthInTelevision, as many in the ''Kriegsmarine'' resented the fact that the Nazi hierarchy paid more attention to the ''Heer'' (army) and ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). (A purported but plausible quote from [[UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler the Führer]] in real life: "I've got a Nazi air force, a conservative army, and a communist navy.")
* Heroic/noble German soldiers in movies about UsefulNotes/WorldWarII.

%%* Centauri 7's attitude in ''Film/HunterPrey''.
* In ''Film/BridgeOfSpies,'' James Donovan cites this trope as a reason why Rudolf Abel cannot be considered a traitor unlike the Rosenbergs -- Abel was merely following the directives given to him by his senior officer. Abel himself gives a cynical, and typically Russian, definition of this concept:
-->'''Rudolf Abel:''' The boss is not always right, but he is always the boss.
* ''Film/RedSparrow'': The sparrows' trainers and the SVR hierarchy stress self-sacrifice out of Russian patriotism. [[spoiler:General Korchnoi turns out to be the "to be set right" version when he reveals himself to Dominika as the TheMole SVR has been looking for: he started working for the Americans after an ObstructiveBureaucrat wouldn't let his wife be treated for a sudden illness in an American hospital while living with him on an overseas post, leading to her preventable death. Because he loves his country, he wants to defeat the men whom he views as destroying Russia for their own gain.]]
* Okoye in ''Film/BlackPanther'' is "Loyal to the throne, no matter who sits on it," even when she visibly disagrees with the policies of the king. That said, when she has a choice between following either [[spoiler:T'Challa or Killmonger]], who at this point both have equal claims to the throne, she doesn't hesitate to choose the leader she feels is right for her country.

** In ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix Order of the Phoenix]]'', Percy Weasley adovates this trope but unknowingly subverts it in the process. He pushes for Ron be to loyal to Hogwarts itself rather than Albus Dumbledore as Headmaster, whom many think is going senile due to his instance of Lord Voldermort's rebirth. Yet at the time, Percy is so blinded by his rising power within the Ministry - and buying into their smear campagin against Dumbledore and Harry - that his words come off as nothing but grandiose posturing. Ron is immediately disgusted and makes a clear show of shreading and burning Percy's letter.

** Dolores Umbridge doesn't seem care who runs the Ministry of Magic so long as she gets to keep her job. Yet one does gets the impression that she enjoys enforcing the most ruthless laws more than anything else. In the ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix Order of the Phoenix]]'', her devotion to Cornelius Fudge seemed sincere (and therefore probably her only redeeming trait), but by the time of ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows Deathly Hallows]]'' she's very comfortable with the promotion she's gotten under Voldemort's regime and her previous love of Fudge comes off more in a ProfessionalButtKisser kind of way.

* Captain Laurence from the ''Literature/{{Temeraire}}'' series is deeply devoted to Britain, and his sense of duty is what constantly drives the plot -- he hated the thought of taking on a dragon but did it because he thought it was right. However, he finally draws the line when he hears of a British plan to [[spoiler: infect every French dragon with a fatal disease, and let to spread and kill every non-British dragon in the world despite them being sentient beings]], which finally prompts him to turn traitor.
* [[Creator/KarelCapek Karel Čapek]] wrote a short story called "Pseudo-Lot or Concerning Patriotism", a take on the Biblical story of Lot. In his version, when the angels come to Lot and tell them that Sodom is about to be destroyed, he realizes that as much as he hates the sins of the people of Sodom, he cannot leave them now that they're about to die.
* Commodore Smith displays this at the end of ''[[Literature/BlackTideRising Strands of Sorrow]]''. A newly rescued government official becomes acting President and immediately orders the resumption of the ZombieAdvocate policies that let the ZombieApocalypse get traction in the first place. She also talks about charging the surviving military with war crimes under the justification that the hordes of zombies they've killed were [[TechnicallyLivingZombie technically alive]], despite pre-ZA testimony from the CDC establishing that the infection is irreversible. Rather than stage a military coup, Smith merely [[PleaBargain acquiesces to house arrest under the condition that his troops face no charges]]. And rather than plan any sort of assassination, Smith's daughters resolve the situation by rescuing a ReasonableAuthorityFigure who outranks the Secretary of Education.
* As the plan gets underway in ''Literature/DebtOfHonor'', several Japanese characters struggle to decide if their loyalty should be to their nation as she is, even though that means going along with the crazy, or if it should be to Japan as she ought to be, even if working for the good of the nation may involve giving away secrets in a manner that might be deemed treasonous.
* [[TheProtagonist Princess Lara]] from ''Literature/TheBridgeKingdomArchives''. Even though she despises her father, who has sent her on a mission to infiltrate another country (and his SpyMaster even more), she still believes it is her duty because it would mean salvation for her starving countrymen.
* A major theme in the ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga''. The main characters understand perfectly well why Barrayar is viewed by many as TheEvilEmpire and are doing the best they can to be just in an unjust world. Miles, despite having command of a mercenary fleet that could take him anywhere in the galaxy, remains loyal to a planet that reviles him as a mutant (as he frequently points out, he's actually just a cripple), to the consternation of his female partners who have no desire to settle down with him in a NoWomansLand, and cannot fathom why his mother (who shows a similar loyalty to her adopted home) would choose to ''immigrate'' there.

* Anton, the hero of ''Summer of My German Soldier''.
* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': Umbridge doesn't care who runs the Ministry so long as she gets to keep her job, though one rather gets the impression that she enjoys enforcing the most ruthless laws more than anything. In the ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix Order of the Phoenix]]'' her devotion to Fudge seemed sincere (and therefore probably her only redeeming trait), but by ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows Deathly Hallows]]'' she's very comfortable with the promotion she's gotten under Voldemort's regime and her previous love of Fudge comes off more in a ProfessionalButtKisser kind of way.
* Several of the more sympathetic Havenite characters in the Literature/HonorHarrington stories qualify, especially before the second EnemyCivilWar. A couple did switch sides but most just tried to stick it out - and some did manage to make improvements in their own countries by doing so. As time has gone on and the government changed, Haven is no longer an obvious "bad guy".

* Several characters in ''Literature/{{Safehold}}'' have the attitude My ''Church'' Right or Wrong, agreeing with the Cahrisians that the Vicarate is hopelessly corrupt but unwilling to raise arms against The Church.

* Many imperials in the ''[[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Star Wars]]'' universe use varying degrees of this trope. Some desert right away after Battle of Endor. Others remain loyal until the interim government implodes. Some defect or desert after they become sickened by their commanding officers or realize that the Empire has lost unity.

* Günter Bischoff, the U-Boat captain in ''Literature/{{Cryptonomicon}}'' starts off like this (he's definitely not a Nazi), but ends up just looking for a way out of the whole thing.
* Oberst Kurt Steiner from ''The Eagle Has Landed''. He actually risked his life trying to save a Jewish girl from death. He is then court-martialed, along with a platoon of his men. They are then given the job of kidnapping Churchill. One of them rescues a local girl from a water wheel and is killed in the process. So it is obvious that they are good guys, yet they still fight for Nazi Germany. In an aversion, it is hinted that [[spoiler:Steiner hesitates when he has a chance to shoot Churchill because he knows it is wrong and is himself then shot and apparently killed]].
* ''Soldier X'' might fit here. The main character talks about how, as a teacher, the new students always stare at him because he is missing an arm. When they inevitably ask about it, he reveals that he lost it in WWII and someone always comments "it had to be done". However, the main character was a conscript in the Wehrmacht (although it is a little more complicated...).
* In ''Literature/TheThreeMusketeers'', Rochefort is depicted as an honourable opponent of the eponymous musketeers. Although, there, it's more a case of "My [[MyMasterRightOrWrong Boss]] (Cardinal Richelieu), Right or Wrong", as both he and the musketeers are loyal to France.
* In ''Literature/MonstrousRegiment'', this is the attitude that Corporal Strappi preaches. Sergeant Jackrum also follows this, but at the end, retires to find out, as he put it, "what I've been fighting for" his entire life.
* Eric von Shrakenberg of ''Literature/TheDraka'' takes this trope to a whole new level, given that the country he is fighting for is the Domination of Draka, which makes Nazi Germany look tame by comparison. Although he views the Draka ideology and society as a cultural dead-end, he is arguably the single most important individual in Draka history, playing a key role in both the [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII Eurasian War]] and [[WorldWarIII The Final War]].
* In ''Literature/RuledBritannia'', an AlternateHistory novel where the Spanish Armada succeeded and occupied England, Creator/WilliamShakespeare (Yes, ''the'' William Shakespeare) admits that, if given a choice, he probably would choose to follow the Roman Catholic traditions of Spain as opposed to the Protestant teachings of England, but he refuses to let these traditions be forced onto the country at gunpoint. Thus, he helps launch the rebellion that topples the government of Queen Isabella and frees the imprisoned Queen Elizabeth, even if that means he will need to become a Protestant again, because, at least then, it would be by England's choice.
** Also a recurring theme in Turtledove's {{Literature/Timeline191}} series with citizens in the Confederate States, since they are the analogue to Germany. Clarence Potter is the most notable - he despises Jake Featherston personally and feels his temperament is ill-suited to the Presidency. But he also saves Featherston from a black assassin and a planned military coup, on the grounds that eliminating him would only lead to the CSA being conquered by the more powerful U.S.
* A minor recurring theme in the ''Literature/SixteenThirtyTwo'' series, as we repeatedly see people from "enemy" nations who recognize based on the foresight/hindsight provided by reading the uptime history books that their countries are in the wrong at LEAST practically if not morally (such as upholding serfdom), but serve their country regardless even when rulers fail to recognize the warnings.
* ''Literature/{{Biggles}}'' antagonist Erich von Stalhein: "Germany meant more to me than Hitler ever did. It still does." He is quite explicitly a German nationalist and seems listless whenever not serving its interests, even working for the Soviets, despite being a monarchist to the core himself.
* In ''Literature/DarknessAtNoon'', Rubashov's background was that of a faithful enforcer of the Party line who publicly upheld the principle of the Party's infallibility, though privately admitting that it had turned against the principles of the Revolution that he had fought in. Ivanov questions why he does not see himself as a traitor.
* In the novel ''Literature/RedStormRising'', Alekseyev serves the Soviet Union, all while having private doubts about whether what the country is doing is legitimate or worthwhile, particularly staging a bombing of the Kremlin that killed several children early in the novel.

* [[spoiler:The Boss]] in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater''. [[spoiler:She's]] so loyal [[HonorBeforeReason beyond reasoning]] [[TearJerker that it hurts.]] There are some other people in the [[VideoGame/MetalGear franchise,]] but [[spoiler:she's]] the one that stand out the most.

* ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'': [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-516 SCP-516]] is a SapientTank that usually will only fire on targets that present an actual threat to it (or that endanger innocents), carefully aiming its shots to avoid hurting people other than the target. However, if it encounters convicted traitors from its country of origin, it will fire on and kill them even if it harms or kills bystanders.

** Another ''The Binding Blade'' example is Brenya, who is portrayed much like Selena would later be. Despite [[spoiler:King Zephiel's death]] in the last chapter, she still carries out his orders, even if it means death. Even after being told that surrender is an option, she won't take it.

** In the following game, General Levail of Begnion can be seen in a similar situation as Bryce: he knows of how corrupt the Begnion Senate is (he was the commander of Vice-Minister Lekain's personal army) and wishes that it isn't so, but he still fights you out of loyalty to Zelgius, [[spoiler:AKA the Black Knight]].

** Actually he defected prior to it, as he would have been one of the pilots tasked with carrying out the strike mission. Killing millions of your countries citizens, and thousands of soldiers from both sides, will make you question your boss, that's for sure.

* Harpuia of ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' is a good example. A good character (or neutral at worst) in a LawfulEvil government, He legitimately seeks to protect humans. Too bad the definition of Maverick has become distorted.

*** Also during Peace Walker it is revealed that she was [[spoiler: suffering from brain damage, from a gunshot wound to the head. This makes one question her actions]]

* "Winning Ugly" by Music/TheRollingStones from ''Music/DirtyWork'' has a literal line like this:

* Many members of the Terran Dominion in ''VideoGame/StarcraftII'' feel this way when it comes to serving Emperor Mengsk. The trope itself is even referenced when playing Megnsk in Co-op mode. His basic unit is the Dominion Trooper/Laborer and whenever a new one is made one of lines they say is "My Dominion right or wrong".

* Many members of the Terran Dominion in ''VideoGame/Starcraft2'' feel this way when it comes to serving Emperor Mengsk. The trope itself is even referenced when playing Megnsk in Co-op mode. His basic unit is the Dominion Trooper/Laborer and whenever a new one is made one of [[StopPokingMe lines they say]] is "My Dominion right or wrong".

* While not a soldier in any way, the character Nathaniel Vargas from ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' believes all the Enclave (former Éminence grise of the U.S. federal government) propaganda he hears and seems averse to questioning the government in general if you talk to him about it. It can be entertaining to argue with him using examples from the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights; he'll eventually cut off the discussion for the explicit reason that you might convince him. [[spoiler:Ultimately though, he may warn you, if still alive during The American Dream quest, to get away from the Enclave before they catch you, as he was taken captive by the Enclave and is in the Raven Rock base cells. His exact words: ''"They're not who they say they are... Get out while you can, before they get you too."'']]
* In ''VideoGame/{{Fallout New Vegas}}'', Veronica is loyal to the Brotherhood of Steel, despite believing that they will slowly die out if they don't change their isolationist and xenophobic ways. At the end of her personal quest, she'll either choose to stay with them or leave them, [[spoiler:where she will see just how fanatical they can be when it comes to those with progressive thoughts.]] The current Elder, Nolan [=McNamara=], has similar beliefs but is hindered by his fear of the NCR and an unwillingness to go against tradition and commit outright heresy.

* This is why General Leo of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' is a WorthyOpponent rather than on your side. Even when he turns on Kefka, he's just trying to remove a piece of rot from the good name of TheEmpire, resulting in an awesomely tragic HeroicBSOD when [[spoiler:Kefka reveals that he's acting on the orders of the Emperor]], and Leo's fate is sealed by his inherent goodness. Poor bastard.
* In the beginning of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', Cecil (''the main protagonist'') is the same as Leo above. After a particularly horrible mission given by his king, he becomes TheAtoner instead, kickstarting the plot.
* Both Steiner and Beatrix are this during the first half of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX''. Beatrix's case is much like General Leo's above, while Steiner, being a main party character, is constantly attacked by the queen he's trying to serve. They both come to their senses as the story progresses.

** This trope also applies to [[spoiler:Reiner's 12-year-old cousin Gabi]], who is likewise [[spoiler:a {{Child Soldier|s}} under the same military program. Gabi's hoping to inherit Reiner's Armored Titan]]. Part of her character growth is [[spoiler:eventually realising that she's been brainwashed and that those living within the walls aren't the devils she's been taught about]]. A catalyst for this is [[spoiler:her friend Falco, who realises this before Gabi does, and tries to tell her that her views are wrong. Gabi doesn't take kindly to that.]]

* Gladiator, of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard from ''ComicBook/XMen'', has explicitly stated that his loyalty is to the Imperium itself, regardless of who's holding the throne (ultimately, he turned out to be very right to support Deathbird: she turned out to be a very capable majestrix. [[OmnicidalManiac The mad emperor D'Ken]], on the other hand...), going as far as serving [[TheCaligula Vulcan]] while showing distaste for having to fight Lilandra, the previous majestrix, and his long-time BodyguardCrush. Eventually, however, Vulcan finally pushes Gladiator a bridge too far (capturing Lilandra and preparing to have her executed), leading Gladiator to defy this trope for the first (and almost certainly last) time. By the end of the ComicBook/WarOfKings event, [[spoiler:Gladiator is the one holding the Throne, what with everyone else in charge either being dead or MIA]].

** Superman doesn't believe in unconditioinal loyalty when it comes to governments, he will usually follow the wishes of the American people, even if he doesn't agree with them. For example, in ''ComicBook/PublicEnemies'', he says:

** Superman doesn't believe in MyCountryRightOrWrong when it comes to governments, he will usually follow the wishes of the American people, even if he doesn't agree with them. For example, in ''ComicBook/PublicEnemies'', he says:

* Happens with DC's ComicBook/CaptainAtom from time to time, most memorably during the period of time when Lex Luthor was elected President (detailed above). He forced Atom by executive order to hunt down Superman and Batman, an act Atom clearly found distasteful.

* Played with in the strip by Argentinian cartoonist Creator/{{Quino}} titled [[http://www.ghira.mistral.co.uk/mipais.gif "Mi Pais (My Country)"]].

** Really, MyCountryRightOrWrong is the guiding principle for all Cardassians, all the time. The problem is that each of them has a different idea about what's good for the empire, ranging from "I should be the ruler because I am obviously the right man for the job" to "The Cardassians need to own up to the crimes in our past."

* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':

** Superman doesn't believe in MyCountryRightOrWrong when it comes to governments, he will usually follow the wishes of the American people, even if he doesn't agree with them. For example, in the "Public Enemies" arc of ''ComicBook/SupermanBatman'', he says:

* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': Umbridge doesn't care who runs the Ministry so long as she gets to keep her job, though one rather gets the impression that she enjoys enforcing the most ruthless laws more than anything. In the [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix fifth book]] her devotion to Fudge seemed sincere (and therefore probably her only redeeming trait), but by [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows the seventh]] she's very comfortable with the promotion she's gotten under Voldemort's regime and her previous love of Fudge comes off more in a ProfessionalButtKisser kind of way.

* ''Website/SCPFoundation'': [[https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-516 SCP-516]] is a SapientTank that usually will only fire on targets that present an actual threat to it (or that endanger innocents), carefully aiming its shots to avoid hurting people other than the target. However, if it encounters convicted traitors from its country of origin, it will fire on and kill them even if it harms or kills bystanders.

** ''[=FE10=]'' plays with this trope with Jill and Zihark most especially; averted in ''[=FE9=]'', played straight at the beginning of ''[=FE10=]'', and then it depends on whether the player recruits them or not. It gets to the point where they're willing to betray their friends and principles just for their country, which is plainly in the wrong.

* Quite common in VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic, especially among Imperial faction companions, but appearing on the Republic side too. You can role-play an Imperial player character as this; being fiercely loyal and placing high value on Imperial lives while [[PragmaticVillainy being disdainful of Sith follies]].

The character is a noble, or at least decent, soldier, who doesn't like the policies of their nation and/or state, but fights for it anyway. This person is loyal to their nation, not its leader. Exactly ''how'' noble or decent someone can be while helping their organisation do questionable deeds because it is "their duty" varies depending on the specific character and their actions. MoralDissonance is something anyone can have and evil leaders are very good at [[PatrioticFervor promoting and exploiting nationalism]], particularly when it comes to inter-national conflict and war. One does often wonder why someone so honorable fights for an evil cause rather than deserting. At worst, this sort of thing can lead to the "I was JustFollowingOrders" defense. More positively, it may result in them questioning their BlindObedience and [[DefectorFromDecadence defecting]] or rebelling.

* In the ''Podcast/WelcomeToNightVale'' episode "Old Oak Doors" when [[TheNarrator Cecil]] is attempting to rally the populace, he acknowledges that [[EldritchLocation Night Vale]] is a horrifying place, but it's still better than living under the thumb of [[EvilInc [=StrexCorp=]]].

Compare {{Realpolitik}}, HonorBeforeReason, MyMasterRightOrWrong, LawfulStupid, JustFollowingOrders, TautologicalTemplar, and CultureJustifiesAnything. Contrast MyCountryTisOfTheeThatISting, where someone's love of country inspires them to ''want'' to criticize it.

* Quite common in VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic, especially among Imperial faction companions, but appearing on the Republic side too. You can role-play an Imperial player character as this; being fiercely loyal and placing high value on Imperial lives while being disdainful of Sith follies.

* In ''VideoGame/Persona5'', one class lecture in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' touches on this term and its actual meaning, as shown in the trope description, with Kawakami using it as an example of a misused term[[note]]In the original game, she'd asked about "kakushinan," which is erroneously believed to refer to cases in which people know what they're doing is wrong, but is actually about people who believe they're in the right[[/note]].

* ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'' has a heroic example of this. Rattrap is quite the CombatPragmatist, can be a jerkass to his teammates, and is not above dirty tricks and schemes. There is nothing too dirty for him, as long as it benefits the Maximals ([[DoubleAgent even joining the Predicons]]). He finds a bizarre friendship with [[TokenEvilTeammate Dinobot]] who like Rattrap is loyal to Predicon ideals, but defects from Megatron's Predicons because he believes Megatron's Predicons are not reflective of those ideals. Boiled down, Rattrap is "my country right or wrong" and dinobot is "If the country is wrong, I must right it".

%%* Bunchuu, from ''Manga/SoulHunter''.

** Tali is a rather notable example in that she was willing to do nearly anything for the Migrant Fleet. This is more evident in the third game after [[spoiler: The quarians declare war on the Geth]]
** Toward the end of ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'', Tali even notes that it'd be difficult for quarians to do what Shepard does (namely, steal the ''Normandy'' against orders for the greater good of every living thing) because they're raised with this mentality. [[spoiler:Which is what can get them wiped out in ''3'', since they're unable to go against the GeneralRipper's orders.]]