Nationalism and Globalisation

NATIONALISM AND GLOBALISATION

BY AKINDAHUNSI OPEYEMI OLU, A GRADUATE OF HISTORY & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, ADEKUNLE AJASIN UNIVERSITY, AKUNGBA-AKOKO, NIGERIA

Globalisation and Nationalism are key basic concepts in the understanding of International Relations. Upon the foundations of globalisation and nationalism lay International relations and politics. Globalisation, Nationalism, and their relationship have been a subject of controversy and debate among scholars and followers of International Relations. The relationship between Globalisation is indeed puzzling and hard to comprehend. While some believe both are complimentary to each other, others believe that it’s either one or the other, that is both cannot co-exist. The effect of globalisation on national identity is complex. Some consider it aforce that undermines national identity, while others argue that globalisationtrends reinforce national feelings (Calhoun 2007; Guibernau 2001; Kaldor2004; Kymlicka 2003; Zuelow et al. 2007; Tønnesson 2004). This essay will x-ray the relationship between Nationalism and Globalisation with emphasis on the impact of nationalism on globalisation.

Globalisation on one hand is defined as the ‘increasing cross-border flows of goods, services, money, people, information, and culture’ (Held et al. 1999: 16). The world today has been radically transformed with globalisation. The advances in technology and communications have erased the constraints of geography between states (Robertson, 1996, Walters 2011). Nationalism on thehand, is defined as a “devotion to one’s nation or a policy of national independence (J.A Simpson 1991;). It is also a complex concept involving a shared communal identification with one’s nation. It is geared towards achieving and maintaining communal autonomy and sometimes, sovereignty over a territory (Anna, 1981).From the foregoing definitions, it’s crystal clear that globalisation and nationalism are oxymoronic and paradoxical. While Globalisation seeks to create a level interconnectedness and uniformity between states, Nationalism seeks to create state’s independence and uniqueness.

Though nationalism could be said to have existed since the beginning of human relationship, the treaty of Westphalia established the nation-state as an entity and actor in the international system. This laid the foundation for modern nation-state and consequently, nationalism.

Most nation-states (especially in Africa, Asia and the Middle-East), perceive globalisation as a threat to the survival of their culture and nationhood. To them, globalisation is nothing more than “westernisation” or “Europeanisation” in continuation of European imperialism. This has caused some national groups to employ nationalism as a defence mechanism against the waves of globalisation (Godfrey, 2008). Even during the colonial era, “Nationalism” started in Africa and particularly Nigeria as a movement to gain independence from foreign rule. It should not be surprising then, if modern “nationalism” is with prejudice to the West.

According to Douglas Kellmer, “indeed from the late 1980s to the present, there has been a resurgence of nationalism, traditionalism and religious fundamentalism alongside trends toward globalisation…. Culture has thus become a new source of conflict and an important dimension of struggle between the global and local”.

Nationalism is divisive in nature because it thrives on perceived differences between people of different nations. This inevitably leads to the feeling that one’s nation is better than other nations. The concept is also inherently oppressive because it submerges individual identity within a national whole, and give elites or political leaders potential opportunities to manipulate and control the masses (Heywood, 2000).

Within a globalised world, the goal of national independence or dominance over others is delusional. All Nations are separate but no Nation can be truly independent of others within the international system. The principle of “fortress America” had to bow to this Almighty reality. Also, the nationalist goal of having a joint boundary between a nation and state is a mirage. It is practically impossible to have a state of one Nation only. Experiments to achieve this impossibility came at a cost of millions of lives (especially during the Holocaust) and in genocides and civil wars across the world. Philosopher A.C Grayling is of the view that Nations are artificial constructs. In his words, “… their boundaries are drawn in the blood of past wars.... there is no country on earth which is not home to more than one co-existing culture. Cultural heritage is not the same thing as National identity” (Grayling, 2001).

Nationalism is also a negative dangerous force and one of the consistent causes of conflicts and war between Nation-states. This is because Nationalism breeds violent nationalist movements, militarism and conflicts between nations inspired by chauvinism and jingoism. Nationalism is one of the immediate causes of the two previous World Wars. If there is going to be a Third World War, nationalism is also going to be a pivot.

Nationalism is a motivating factor in some terrorists’ activities across the globe. Nationalist terrorism is a form of terrorism motivated by nationalism. They, often oppose what they consider to be occupying, imperial, or otherwise illegitimate powers. Examples of such groups include Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Peoples’ Mujahedin of Iran (PMO), and National Bolshevik Front (NBF). Nationalist terrorism may also overlap with religiously motivated terrorism. For example, Palestinian Nationalist militants groups are sometimes Islamic; Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Zionists groups are sometimes Jewish; kach and Kahanel(wikipedia).

An astute example of a nationalist-religiously motivated terrorist activity is that of the Boko Haram sect in some parts of West Africa. The word “Haram” is generally termed to mean sin while “Boko” mean western influence or education. It remains to be seen, what is “Haram” about “Boko”.

Nationalism has also contributed to growing xenophobia in the globalised world. With the interconnectedness of the World, migration has increased tremendously in the last few decades. This has unfortunately led to nationalist motivated uprising by locals who perceive foreigners as social, cultural and economic threats to their survival as a Nation. There was such attack in South Africa on Nigeria living and working in South Africa recently. This is a serious challenge posed by Nationalism on Globalisation.

Interestingly, even the recently conducted American Presidential elections was practically won and lost on the issue of immigration. Sixty per centof voters said that immigration was an important factor in how they voted in the election. Twenty per cent of the voters said that they would only vote for a candidate who mirrored their views on immigration (Gallup, 2015). “Trump wanted a wall constructed between the U.S and Mexico, proposed a ban on Muslims entering the U.S, and supported repealing Obama’s executive orders on the DACA and DAPA programs” (Ballotpedia). “Clinton supported immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship, establishing an office of immigrant policies, and Obama’s executive orders on the DACA and DAPA programs” (Ballotpedia). There is a growing xenophobic mentality among the American populace. As stated by Deutch, xenophobia is written into the heart of Nationalism” (Delaney and O’ Mahomy, 2002 p.167).

Globalisation is inevitable and unstoppable. Clare Short, a British Labour Party politician, once said: “People have accused me of being in favour of globalisation. This is equivalent to accusing me of being in favour of the sun rising in the morning.” However, nationalism, rather than being an asset to globalisation is a hindrance. Globalisation is an anti-thesis to nationalism as it suggests that there irrespective of geographic, cultural, ethnic or religious barriers, there is just one globe (Godfrey, 2008). As globalisation increases, a new kind of “nationalism” will emerge which is different entirely from having feeling or attachment to one particular nation to “Internationalism” which is belonging to the world as a “nation”.