- - Nationalism is not an alternative to gl

Published Date: 19 Mar 2018

Nationalism is not an alternative to globalisation but an intrinsic part of it. Globalisation critics and supporters alike, although they may not agree on whether globalisation is a positive or negative phenomenon, do agree that nationalism is an intrinsic part of globalisation, rather than an alternative.

Critics fear that globalisation will lead to the loss of national identities and a whitewashing of the cultures and nations. They see nationalism as a deterrent against globalisation; stronger individual nations mean a weaker global state. While “positive globalizers extol the virtues of the ‘global village’, of instant, worldwide communication and the multiplicity of voices which can be heard” (p.81, Held, 2000). Instead of a deterrent against globalisation supporters believe that nationalism and strong national and cultural identities lead to a more attractive, unified global village.

To understand nationalism’s intrinsic role in globalisation we must first understand the concept. “Globalisation involves the creation of new and multiplication of existing social networks and activities that increasingly overcome traditional, political, economic, cultural and geographical boundaries” (p.9, Steger, 2003) and the “intensification and acceleration of social exchanges and activities. The Internet relays distant information in mere seconds, and satellites provide consumers with real-time pictures of remote events.” (p.11, Steger, 2003).

Globalisation is a modern concept resulting largely from modern technology which allows for increased mobility of people around the world, as well as, a new-found speed of communication and trade. As the world becomes smaller through ease of travel and communication, people and nations increasingly reach beyond their borders for goods and information. As a result, political and economic agreements between nations and multinational corporations have emerged.

With the growing strength of multinational corporations, such as, Nike and Coca-Cola, and the increased application of political and economic agreements between nations,

such as, the European Union (EU) in Europe and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada the United States and Mexico countries can no longer successfully maintain policies of containment wherein they refuse to interact with bodies beyond their borders.

John Ralston Saul (2005) dedicates two chapters to nationalism, in his book The Collapse of Globalisation. The first, ‘Negative Nationalism’ (p.246-257), describes aggressive, destructive nationalism which considers only the nation state, lacking consideration for the world beyond its borders and often, as a result, for the nation’s citizens.

In the United States politician Pat Buchanan “expresses the conviction that there exists at the core of contemporary American society an irrepressible conflict between the claims of American nationalism and the commands of the global economy” (p.117, Steger, 2003). The United States’ policy of negative nationalism has led, among other things, to their refusal to participate in the Kyoto accord on the basis that it will negatively effect the U.S. economy. The Kyoto accord aims to reduce gas emissions which are thought to lead to global warming, yet without the participation of the U.S. which has “five percent of the world's population, [and] emits 25 percent of the world's greenhouse gases” (Agence France-Presse, 2005), the accord cannot succeed in meeting its goals.

On the other hand ‘Positive Nationalism’ (p.269-280, Saul, 2005) describes a constructive nationalism in which nations remain strong, keeping their independence and identity, while working for the greater good of the nation’s citizens, neighbour nations and the world as a whole. Positive nationalism recognises not only the strength of the nation but of other nations as well, and is not threatened by other nations or outside forces. Positive nationalism is essential to globalisation and one of the many driving forces of the phenomenon, while negative nationalism works against it. Positive or negative both forms of nationalism are intrinsic to globalisation.

Nationalism is most often referred to when discussing countries but can also refer to unique regions, such as, Catalonia and the Basque region in Spain, and Quebec in Canada, among others. Just as nationalism is an integral part of globalisation, so too are these regions integral parts of the countries within which they exist. These regions, and many other regions around the world, have unique cultures, traditions and languages, and have come to be celebrated for their unique qualities. Canada has two official languages, English and French, as a result of the strength of Quebec’s culture.

Once a population has an established language, it becomes very deep-rooted, and cannot easily be eradicated even by the determined efforts of the state to make people speak some other language (even a closely related one). For example, Spanish governments from the eighteenth-century to the 1960’s tried to eradicate the Basque language from its north-eastern provinces and the Catalan language from its eastern province of Catalonia. But failed completely, and only aroused in the oppressed Basques and Catalans greater resentment and greater determination to preserve their own identity. (p. 261 Gowland, et. al. 2000).

The fact that unique cultures have preserved themselves within nations despite efforts to assimilate them shows the resilience of nations and national identity, and the strength of nationalism. Thus the idea that globalisation will lead to the whitewashing of the world fails, as nationalism and national identity will always prevail. In a world of global culture and multinational corporations “national cultures remain resilient and distinctive despite MTV, CNN and Hollywood” (p.81, Held, 2000).

Globalisation has created a global mosaic wherein the nations of the world are connected through trade, travel and communication, but maintain their unique identities. Nationalism plays an intrinsic role in the global mosaic as countries must sustain their national identities to sustain globalisation, as it is unique features of each nation that make them attractive to others.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, 2005. Kyoto Climate Accord Becomes Operational. [Online] (Nov 30, 2005). Montreal, Agence France-Presse. Available from: http://www.terradaily.com/news/climate-05zzzzzzk.html [Accessed 18 January 2006].

GOWLAND, D., O’NEILL, B. & DUNPHY, R. eds., 2000. The European Mosaic Contemporary Politics, Economics & Culture. 2^nd ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

HELD, D. ed. 2000. a globalizing world? culture, economics, politics. Bath: The Bath Press

SAUL, J.R., 2005. The Collapse of Globalism. London: Atlantic Books.

STEGER, M.B., 2003. Globalization A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press Inc.