Nationalism and National Identities in a Globalised World - Case Study Example

Nationalism and national identities are irrelevant in a globalised world Nationalism is perceived in great variance one concept being that it is the nations, which are the pivots that are above any definition of universalism or nationalism. The nations themselves have social and cultural boundaries which itself are any human beings identity. On the basis of this very concept Nationalism lays claim to both cultural and political beliefs and more importantly that it is the nation itself who is the fundamental integrity behind any state to exist and that each Nation has the right to its own state. Moreover Nationalism is also a reference of visionary speculation of nationalist movements that make political and cultural demands representing some nations (Hutchinson, 2000). Nationalism itself may be seen as an offshoot of official state ideology or as the more common non-state ideology. This being that Nationalism could either be defined along the lines of Marxist ideology or could follow the line of bourgeois ideology. The first would comprise of ethical and political views and the second specific to the mannerism and thinking of a certain class. These different types of Nationalisms sprout up on the basis of these self defined characteristics. These categories remain exclusive or sometimes are incorporated by various Nationalist movements. It can also be classified further on the basis of criteria and location (Smith, 2003). Political theorists claim that nationalism is singular entity and that there is no two forms of it, however it is generally understood as otherwise that in all forms Nationalism shares some common culture. The reason behind this very common thinking to be bogus is that being so it would itself then alter the very foundation of nationalism explaining its different characteristics and concepts. One school of thought accepts nationalism as a desire of a nation to self determine. if it is to be argued then all the different “forms “of nationalism are merely how different academics see it (Smith, 2003). Expansionist Nationalism" is a far-reaching form of imperialism incorporating independent, patriotic opinions that believes in expansionism. It most closely connects to Nazism (nationalist-socialism) and possess some common features with American Manifest Destiny and neoconservatism. The important fact to register advocating actions do not constitute nationalism.Rather it is an outcome of prejudice patriotism and imperialism and bear no significance to the true essence of nationalist (Spybey, 1997). Thomas L. Friedman, for example, explores the impact of the flattening of the globe, and is of the view that globalized trade, outsourcing, supply-chaining, and political forces have altered the world permanently, regardless the outcome of the change. He foresees the growing impact of the quickened pace of globalization will have on the establishments and practices. Although the terms internationalization and globalization are generally considered same yet there is a slight difference between both. Internationalization is the culmination of the words inter+national thereby meaning the relation between nations (Spybey, 1997). Hence it emphasizes on the importance of the relations of the nations in regards to trade, treaties and other such matters. On the contrary globalization is the global economic integration, diminishing national boundaries for the very purpose of achieving global economy. Strictly globalization would mean the erasure of national boundaries for the achievement of economic purposes. Strictly globalization means the erasure of national boundaries in order to achieve economic purposes. Thereby international trade will become interregional trade (Spybey, 1997). Since 1981 the word "Globalization" has been used by economists .Yet the term did not gain popularity till the later half of 1980’s and 1990s. An American entrepreneur-turned-minister Charles Taze Russell was responsible for the earliest written conception of globalization. and thereby terming corporate giants in 1897. Before the turn of the 16th century globalization took its form, at a large scale in Portugal. The countrys global expansions in the 16th century joined continents, economies and cultures and gave new meaning to the concept. On the very onset it became the Age of Discovery, in the mid-1400s (Robertson, 2003). To be the farthest on the west in Europe, It stood out as being the first country to have taken a plunge in the Atlantic Ocean, thereby establishing the Atlantic islands the Azores, Madeira and others. It further reached out to the west coast of Africa. In 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias who was the first to have successfully sailed the southern tip of Africa, and in 1498 his countryman Vasco da Gama followed his footsteps , even reaching as far as India. It was , Pedro Álvares Cabral in 1500 who discovered Brazil. The Portuguese Empire thus established ports, forts and trading posts all the way to Brazil in the west, touching Japan and Timor in the east, and along the coasts of Africa, India and China (Robertson, 2003). This was a most significant tide of change in the history that for the very first time gave rise to the concept of global trade , mixing of cultures and the formation of colonies and this example caught up rapidly around the globe. Globalization is considered a lengthy process incorporating the statistical analysis of human population and the growth of civilization that has increased by leaps and bounds in the past 50 years. Earliest forms of globalization existed during the Roman Empire, the Parthian empire, and the Han Dynasty, with the opening of the Silk Road in China, which stretched as far as the boundaries of the Parthian empire, all the way to Rome (Robertson, 2003). The Islamic Golden Age is another example, where Muslim traders and explorers formulated global economy across the Old World thereby resulting in a globalization of crops, trade, knowledge and technology; and later during the Mongol Empire, when there was greater integration along the Silk Road. Global integration boomed due to the expansion of European trade, as in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Portuguese and Spanish Empires expanded to all corners of the world after exploring the Americas. By far Globalization resulted in having the most powerful affect culturally specifically indigenous cultures, around the globe (Robertson, 2003). Very soon by the 17th century, Globalization turned into a business sensation, with the establishment of Dutch East India Company, often described as the first multinational corporation, As of the high risks involved with international trade the company ventured the very first global risk sharing enabling joint ownerships by issuing shares which itself is the cyclist of globalization (Hutchinson, 2000). 19th century became “The First Era of Globalization" This era was predominantly significant by its rapid growth in international market, between the European imperial powers, their colonies, and, later, the United States. The areas of sub-saharan Africa and the Island Pacific became part of the world system in this time period (Hutchinson, 2000). The "First Era of Globalization" weakened towards the beginning with the first World War, and later collapsed during the gold standard crisis in the late 1920s and early 1930s. These developments may be defined under: Industrial also known as trans nationalization - Development of worldwide production markets and broader access to a range of foreign products for consumers and companies. Financial – Development of worldwide financial markets and opening up of newer avenues to external financing for corporate, national and subnational borrowers. Economic - Understanding of a global common market, based on the freedom of exchange of goods and capital. Political - political globalization means the emergence of a world government which monitors international relationships and vouchsafes the rights arising from social and economic globalization. Politically, the United States has been the one to enjoy the position principally because of the dearth of wealthy economy but with the Globalization in affect and also with the help of The United States’ own economy, the Peoples Republic of China has experienced some tremendous growth within the past decade (Hutchinson, 2000). With this growth rate it would be china who would lead the world in all probability in the next twenty years.It would stand rival to the United states by having progressed in wealth, industry, and technology The European Union, Russian Federation and India are among the other already-established world powers which may have the ability to alter future world politics (Robertson, 2003). Informational - increase in information flows between geographically remote locations thereby expanding horizons. Cultural - increase of cross-cultural contacts; formulation of new conceptions and ideas of consciousness and identities such as Globalism - which incorporates cultural expansion, opening up of newer avenues to consume and enjoy foreign products and adapt to newer ideas, take up new technology and practices, and playing an active role in a "world culture (Robertson, 2003). Ecological- The incorporation of different technique sharing to bypass global environmental challenges that can otherwise be impossible to deal with alone, such as climate change, cross-boundary water and air pollution, over-fishing of the ocean, and the spread of invasive species. Many factories are built in developing countries where they can pollute freely (Robertson, 2003). Social - increased circulation thereby broadening their horizons by people of all nations with fewer restrictions and hence increasing awareness. Transportation – the useful and profitable use of the technology involved leading to more progressive industries and expanding businesses providing luxury and formulating concepts on broader level. International cultural exchange Spreading of multiculturalism, and better individual access to cultural diversity (e.g. through the export of Hollywood and Bollywood movies). However, the imported culture has over the years taken up the local culture specifically true in case of Asia. This could adversely affect by cultures becoming non dissociating or non distinct (Robertson, 2003). Maximizing international travel and tourism Increased immigration, including illegal immigration Increased demand of foreign products. Mass level sales of local consumer products (e.g. food) to other countries (often adapted to their culture) World-wide fads and pop culture such as Pokémon, Sudoku, Numa Numa, Origami, Idol series, YouTube, Orkut, Facebook, and MySpace. World-wide sporting events such as FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. Formation or development of a set of universal values Technical Development of a global telecommunications infrastructure and greater transborder data flow, using such technologies as the Internet, communication satellites, submarine fiber optic cable, and wireless telephones Increase in the number of standards applied globally; e.g. copyright laws, patents and world trade agreements. Legal/Ethical The push by many advocates for an international criminal court and international justice movements. Crime importation and raising awareness of global crime-fighting efforts and cooperation. Sexual awareness – This incorporates the social meaning behind the issue. Globalization affects sexual inequality. Highlighting the more barbarian and brutal nature of sexual exploits, tortures and indiscrimination more awareness is spread and globally help is available with increased level of rights extended and helpful exposure. For example, Women and girls in African countries have long been subjected to female circumcision- such a harmful procedure has been since exposed to the world and the practice is now decreasing in occurrence (Robertson, 2003). Globalization or the globalizing phenomenon is the art of changing things into global ones. Moreover it can be described as a unification process of the people of the world in a singular society which functions together. This involves social cultural political technical and economic issues. It is a reference to neo-liberal economic globalization and is considered as an influential process in the integration of national economies into international economy incorporating foreign direct investment, capital flow, trade, technological advancement,and labor migration. Works Cited: Smith, A, D. 2003. Chosen Peoples: Sacred Sources of National Identity. Oxford University Press Spybey, T. (ed.) 1997. Britain in Europe: An Introduction to Sociology, Routledge Hutchinson, J. 2000. Nationalism: Critical Concepts. Routledge. Robertson, R. 2003. Globalization: Critical Concepts in Sociology. Routledge. Read More