NATIONALISM AND GLOBALISATION, FRENEMIES!

Nationalism is simply the idea of supporting one's country and culture, globalization on the other hand is defined as the elimination of ba­rriers of trade, communication and  cul­tural exchange.

It is inevitable to say globalisation has improved the world we live in, if countries of the world had held on to their radical sense of Nationalism they would have been forgotten in the 19th century.

Nationalism has caused more xenophobia, racism and wars, elites and leaders have only used it for their selfish interests,
we can see that in the case of Nigeria/Biafra Civil War, where millions of Igbos people were killed. Britain and Nigeria were really fighting for selfish interests, if Nigeria breaks up, Britain would not have been able to enjoy the resources of the country they put together. Nationalism and "one Nigeria" was the illusion used to motivate the Nigerian side to kill innocent people that wanted secession. Hitler also had that gift of brain washing the masses to fight for a cause, under this same "fighting for a cause" he was able to gather an army to cause a massive world unrest; World War II! Such is what Nationalism can do. Though scholars could claim that those cases are only the extreme form of Nationalism.

Adolph Hitler upholding radical Nationalism

Let's look at the Nigeria and the USA, the USA being the largest economy in the world attained their economic successes through patriotism(Nationalism) while Nigeria, where politicians are so "corrupt" and unpatriotic are in a very poor economic condition, uh? What we forget is that America; the USA was not founded on Nationalism but from imperialism or better put an effect of globalisation! Christopher Columbus migrated from Britain to North America, European colonies killed the natives, captured slaves from Africa to build the prestigious America we have today, that Nation would never have been a world  power if not for the blood and sweat of Africans which they enslaved, though they ascribe all their successes to their "founding fathers". Nigeria and all her corrupt politicians are still trying hard to rise back to it's feet, still trying to fix things up coupled with challenges of militants.

Starving Igbo children during the Biafra Civil war

 It would be indisputable to say that the USA's President-elect Donald Trump, is totally naive about America's economic state. When Obama took over, he was able to transform their economy and cover up the debts left behind by his predecessor, George Bush, he also reduced the unemployment rate from 10% to 4.6%. He didn't do all that by beginning a radical economic Nationalism but by Globalisation. Trump on the other hand has promised to adopt radical nationalism by bringing businesses back from China and other nations, deporting Africans who are actually adding to their GDP, he never realised that their recent wealth has been mainly from foreigners and even immigrants, it won't be long before America's economy begins to crumble. Such is what extreme Nationalism can do.

USA's President Donald Trump

Nigerians might claim they have benefitted from Nationalism by gaining Independence from Britain but that could be waved aside nonchalantly remembering that Britain were still in control of Nigeria even after Independence.

In the case of Russia, they were infamously known for their extreme nationalism and xenophobia, there were several ultra-nationalist movements, all these led to tensions, many conflicts and sometimes wars. Even till today many Russians regret the breaking down of USSR, in a recent survey, 1880 respondents said they would support banning natives of the Caucasus from living in Russia. Russia's president Vladimir Putin himself and his administration is adopting aggressive economic nationalist policies but in spite of all these radical nationalism has been by far reduced, ethnic hatred has become much less and the reason is not so far fetched, it's because globalisation has so much improved the economy of Russia compared to the Soviet era when they focused majorly on military than consumer production. During the perestroika years, a new class of Russian small business entrepreneurs developed, they would go to other countries like Turkey and then return to Russia to sell consumer goods in bazaars and other places, this made their economy begin to catch up to the West. They now import German electronics, automobiles like BMWs, and other products became status symbols of Russians, the acceptance of globalisation helped improve their quality of life.

Singapore is also a nation that have benefitted enormously from globalization, thanks to their autocratic leader late Lew Kuan Yew.

Late Lee Kuan Yew

"They have very, very free trade, very low tariffs [and] very few non-tariff barriers," says Josh Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations. "They'll boast about how you can start your own company in Singapore in three hours."

His government also provided social services like housing and health care, in a way liberal economists applauded. Lee himself believed Singapore's growth was tied to the shared values of its different ethnic and religious groups.

In the long run Nationalism is never in the favour of the people, their leaders motivate youths to fight wars while they sit in their air conditioned Presidential offices, while the elites sponsor these wars to make profits at the end! It favours only the elites, most times the leaders of these nations are just used as pawns to brainwash the people to go to war and "fight for their country".

In spite of all the negatives of Nationalism, it is still important in order to forge a National identity, Lee Kuan Yew was able to grow his country's economy with globalization but was able to give to his country a National identity.

Beautiful city in Singapore

Singapore is well known for their economic succeses and  that's a National identity.

Telephones, advancement in technology, and all sorts are attributes of globalisation but they were majorly invented in a particular country not necessarily with the partnership of two/more nations.

Globalization however has its own flaws, in a place like Africa, globalization is increasingly ripping tribes and nations off their cultural heritages, there are alot of rural to urban migrations, dumping of Agriculture and all sorts. It's even leading closer and closer to a one World Government where all nations of the world would be controlled by a very powerful nation ruled by elites. Building/rekindling an heritage is left to Nationalism and that's what Africa needs now. If a nation is overly dependent on one, be it globalisation or nationalism, it'll invoke great consequences

Nationalism are not mutually exclusive, in fact they complement each other, they're like the demand and supply curves, when there's a change in one, the other curve changes also to complement it, anything different from that is regarded abnormal!

In a case like Nigeria, there has to be a balance of Nationalism and Globalisation. Exports must counter-balance imports, Nationalism and patriotism must be our watch words while globalization should be encouraged to build the economy. Globalisation must not be favoured to Nationalism and vice versa.

We shouldn't uphold Nationalism to the point where we begin to despice those of other countries and see them as enemies and we shouldn't embrace globalisation to the extent that we forget who we are.

This is a world I believe in!