The Rise of Nationalism: Causes, Consequences, and Impact on Global Politics

1. Introduction

Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, whether it is a nation that is recognized as a nation-state or a group that is recognized in international politics as having the right to self-determination. Self-determination is the idea that the community in which a people live has the right to self-government, the right to chart their own destiny. Nationalism is further oriented towards developing and maintaining a national identity based on shared characteristics such as culture, language, race, and political goals. A sense of national identity may be a by-product of the establishment of a national state, particularly in a ‘modernist’ theory where the search for freedom and a better way of life are primary motivating forces behind the desire for a nation to be recognized as a state. In historical terms, nationalism is often aligned with an anti-colonial movement. For example, the dissolution of the British Empire into separate nation-states revolves around the principle of nationalism, that most nations have the inalienable right to determine their own status and that no people should be forced to live in a colonial relationship. With regard to the rise of nationalism around the world, certain factors such as economic hardship and the erosion of national identities due to globalization have driven people to claim back their national identities, possibly through the use of populist nationalism. For instance, in Britain a sense of nationalism and a call for self-determination has led to Brexit, a movement which in essence wants to transfer the EU’s powers to the nation-state of the UK. Throughout history, the definition of nationalism and the nations that lay claim to national status have been ever-changing. The book then delves into the causes of rising nationalism, including economic, political, and cultural factors. These causes are often depicted as the roots of modern-day nationalist theory, and the authors explore the reasons why those that advocate for nationalism have been increasing in volume.

1.1 Definition of Nationalism

Nationalism is a complex term. The crucial aspect of nationalism is that the people who have a common sense of language, culture, and history want to live in their own country with a sovereign government. In fact, the nation is a basic unit of the international system and it is the way to realize the rationality, objectivity, and authenticity of people’s self-determination in the modern world. Nationalism not only facilitates the modernization of the whole country but also provides people a chance to integrate a group and achieve the target together. Modern nationalism often appears in nation-state politics. Hegemony is distinct from nationalism. Nations have a collective cluster of institutions, organizational symbols in national identities, national territory, and legal rights. The other terminology about nationalism is national concept. Nations are culturally diverse groups of people that form a natural entity that has the faculty of desire to develop the culture and preserve their identity. Nowadays, scholars agree that nationalism is an ambiguous phenomenon with many different possible manifestations. Virtually almost all of the critical discussion is focusing on modern nationalism. Because the modern nation-state is one unit from bottom to top and does not have the influence from the other unit. In the international arena, every state tries to maximize its own national interest, therefore, the majority of the world conflicts from the historical time until now are due to territorial disputes and nationalism. Hegemony is distinct from nationalism. Nations have a collective cluster of institutions, organizational symbols in national identities, national territory, and legal rights. The other terminology about nationalism is national concept. Nations are culturally diverse groups of people that form a natural entity that has the faculty of desire to develop the culture and preserve their identity. Nowadays, scholars agree that nationalism is an ambiguous phenomenon with many different possible manifestations. Virtually almost all of the critical discussion is focusing on modern nationalism. Because the modern nation-state is one unit from bottom to top and does not have the influence from the other unit. In the international arena, every state tries to maximize its own national interest, therefore, the majority of the world conflicts from the historical time until now are due to territorial disputes and nationalism.

1.2 Historical Background

Nationalism is a complex and evolving concept that has been difficult to define. For some scholars, nationalism is best understood as a political ideology that holds that a nation is the only legitimate basis for the state. For others, nationality is more than a political doctrine: it is a feeling of identity that is based on a shared sense of belonging and loyalty to a nation. A historical look into the development of nationalism and its impact on the global political landscape demonstrates that in the mid-19th century, as feelings of nationalism began to spread across Europe, they challenged dynastic and absolutist rulers in much of the world. As one after another large and multi-national empire collapsed, the result was the creation of many new and independent states; so today, the world map is still heavily influenced by the nationalist upsurges of the last two centuries. In fact, as late as the end of World War I in 1918, the world map was still dominated by large multi-national empires – the Austro-Hungarian, the Romanov in Russia, the Hohenzollern in Germany and the Ottoman Empire. However, the era of the empires had ended by 1945; dynastic and absolutist rulers trying to resist the forces of popular nationalism have long been relegated to the backwaters of history. In the modern era, scholars have been particularly interested in understanding how nationalism affects everyday politics and sociality in an increasingly interconnected world. Also, the devastating impact of World War II and the Holocaust forced scholars to pay attention to the powerful connections between nationalism and violence.

2. Causes of Rising Nationalism

2.1 Economic Factors

2.2 Political Factors

2.3 Cultural Factors

3. Consequences of Rising Nationalism

3.1 Formation of Nation-States

3.2 Conflict and Wars

3.3 Spread of Xenophobia

4. Impact on Global Politics

4.1 Shift in Power Dynamics

4.2 Rise of Populist Leaders

4.3 Challenges to International Cooperation

5. Nationalism and Identity

5.1 Role of National Symbols

5.2 Impact on Minority Rights

5.3 Influence on Social Cohesion

6. Nationalism and Globalization

6.1 Nationalist Responses to Globalization

6.2 Economic Protectionism

6.3 Cultural Homogenization vs. Cultural Diversity

7. Nationalism and International Relations

7.1 Nationalistic Foreign Policies

7.2 Nationalism and Regional Alliances

7.3 Nationalism’s Effect on Diplomatic Relations

8. Nationalism and Security

8.1 Nationalism and Military Buildup

8.2 Impact on National Security Strategies

8.3 Nationalism and Terrorism

9. Nationalism and Global Governance

9.1 Nationalism’s Influence on International Organizations

9.2 Challenges to Global Governance

9.3 Nationalism and Climate Change Cooperation

10. Conclusion