To what Extent is Globalization Eradicating Attachments to National Identities? (Essay Sample)

TO WHAT EXTENT IS GLOBALIZATION ERADICATING ATTACHMENT TO NATIONAL IDENTITIES?
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To what Extent is Globalization Eradicating Attachments to National Identities?
Introduction
In the wake of widespread globalization and political fragmentation, the concept of nationalism has largely been affected by the wave, paving the way for the emergence of a collective society that is driven by international integration. The connection between globalization and nationalism is very complex and has been largely viewed as a force that compromises national identity (Forgues, 2013). While proponents of globalization argue that it is a force that reinforces the sense of nationalism, the concept has largely disrupted the essence of national identity. Globalizationis vital in our international world, through the formation of modernsocieties and national states, in a world characterized by increased interdependence. Despite globalization being blamed for the loss of national identity, there are still forces that argue that nationalism is benefiting from globalization and becoming a more important concept than ever. To explore the impact of globalization on the concept of nationalism and to examine their link, this discourse examines the aspects of globalization and nationalism, and the interaction between the two. Globalization iseradicating attachment to national identity as evident in the forces of cosmopolitanism, transnationalism, and post-nationalism, in a setting with declining power of the nation state.
There are inconsistencies in highlighting the nexus between national identity and globalization. These differences emerge from the theoretical differences that arise from the definition of the concepts, as well as the relationship between them. While some research studies have concluded that globalization reduces the sense of identification with a nation in a globalized world, others have argued that globalization increases the sense of nationality (Spencer &Wollman, 2002). However, despite the huge debate on the link between the two phenomena, only a limited number of studies have highlighted how globalization affects the way people perceive and define national identity. With increasing globalization and political fragmentation, the biggest arising challenge is whether the nation still possesses the relevance it once had. The re-scaling of political and economic processes because of globalization has also been associated with the re-defining of national identities (Antonsich, 2009 p. 281).
The threat of globalization to nationalism largely lies in the homogenizing nature of the concept, which melts down people and nationalities into one. Globalization is characterized by increased cross-border flow of commodities, persons, finances, information as well as the diffusion of cultures. Owing to the multifaceted nature of the concept, globalization has been defined as a force that restructures state functions and power, leading to a state’s loss of identity. The defining basis of national identity is rooted in the symbols, values, and memories that define a society (Ariely, 2012 p.463). In this sense, therefore, globalization has been viewed as a force that undermines national identity due to the fact that the seamless flow of information across borders has made it difficult for national identity to uphold its distinct significance that differentiates it from other state identities. In this global village, upholding a homogenous national identity has been largely challenged as people have now become universal consumers of commodities and information, regardless of their geographical location (Starrs, 2013). Furthermore, the world has become highly interconnected in the era of the internet, making it quite challenging for governments to exert control over its territory and citizens.
Through the concept of cosmopolitanism, societies have undergone a transition in their social, political, and economic aspects under globalization. These changes have transformed the meaning of nationalism as a symbol of identification and mobilization. In this regard, the concept of national identity is becoming less significant as evident in decreasing national movementswith widespread globalization (Badger,2014). Cosmopolitanism is about the values shared as universal among humans, without prejudicing the idea of the nation. In a cosmopolitan setting, the society is subordinate to the state, both of which are confined to the dichotomy of the international setting. With increased cosmopolitanism, national values and identities have been substituted by a global culture, which is shaped by globalization forces.
Globalization has been viewed as disruptive to nationalism as evident in the process of internalization. Internalization is defined through increased international trade, relations, alliances, as well as treaties between nations. Globalization has opened up relationship prospects between nations, as these connections become increasingly important and inevitable in a seamlessly interconnected world (Knight, 2015). Global economic integration has emerged with many former national economies forging into a single global economy. Such integration has been enhanced by free trade, increased immigration, as well as free capital mobility. The aspect of nationalism is not entirely lost, but internalization has offered increased opportunities for nations to enhance their economic growth (Ariely, 2012). There have been debates on whether the global economic integration translates into the disintegration of the nation’s economy, which in this sense means a loss of international identity as nations seek to be integrated into the national economy. The disintegration of the national economy is, however, necessary for economic prospects of any nation.
Globalization has also led to post-nationalism; a trend whereby nations tend to lose their identities as they identify with global entities. The integration of political economic and cultural aspects of the world implies that nations are increasingly interconnected in trade, and the importance of multinational corporations are regarded as more important compared to domestic enterprises (Badger,2014). International brands have become very popular with the masses as they take a center stage in the consumption cultures across the world. Moreover, political power has been transformed with the emergence of super regional blocs such as the United Nations and the European Union (Forgues, 2013). On the other hand, the media and entertainment industries have been increasingly globalized, leading to the formation of trends and opinions, which are largely shaped by the global culture. Such global trend in media and entertainment driven by a global culture has led to the loss of national identity as ethnic cultures seem to lose meaning in preference for a global culture.
With increased globalization, identity is now more fluid, as characterised by the declining powers of Nation-state. The predatory market force that globalization provides has made it a challenge for governments to protect its people from the powerful forces that transcend international borders. With increased globalization, nations tend to become weaker and less relevant (Starrs, 2013). Further, globalization has been characterized by a strong wave of immigration and cultural integration. As people move into new societies with different values and belief systems, the meaning of national identity is largely transformed. National identity gives individuals a sense of belonging, but then, globalization makes the sense of belonging more important as people become assimilated into an international society governed by international systems and structures.
Despite the significant impact of globalization on nationalism, there are still proponents who argue that the concept of nationalism is deep-rooted in the society such that it cannot be possibly diminished. Nations have deep roots in their identity that are defined by their political, social, economic, and cultural identities that are very powerful and resistant to external influence (Knight, 2015). As such, globalization does not denote the end of nationalism, and the widespread cosmopolitan culture across the world today is not likely to impact on the masses in the same force drawn from nationalism. Extreme nationalism arises because societies want to safeguard their national heritage from external influence and control, which is presumably brought forth by globalization.
The thrivingnationalmovement, even amidst widespread globalization, does not imply that the role of nationalism in influencing political decisions is decreasing. The primordial approach to nationalism is based on the notion that nations are not influenced by social constructs and changing contexts in the society, as argued from the modernist standpoint. Nationalism is a true reflection of identity and belonging as it embodies pre-existing ethnicity. This implies that nationalism is deep rooted in human societ...