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Nationalism, which became widespread in the 19th century, has been a significant factor in constructing modern states and accelerating human history, as states based on national groups developed their concept of "we" as a natural group with a natural "legitimate order." This made values, norms and order more efficient and consistent within states. Nationalism in this sense helped to destroy the old system. It created a stronger collective coherence that broke up the existing order of cross-national empires.
Napoleon took advantage of French nationalism to overthrow the monarchy and establish his own French empire. However, he was also partly responsible for the rise of European nationalism as nation states rebelled against the French and solidified their own strong national identities.
Since that time, nationalism has been legitimized. After World War I and World War II, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, the concept of self determination for nation states became a universal norm. In these post-war periods nationalism was a strong force in shaping, and in breaking down, sovereign states. In 1945, when the United Nations was established, there were only 51 member states. Now there are 192 -- even though they are not all based on a single nationality or ethnic group.
On the other hand, strong nationalism has sometimes had very negative effects. The holocaust under the Nazi regime, in which 6 million Jews were killed, offers a great lesson in the negative effects of extreme nationalism. The Nazis intended to create a German empire based on a pure German race.
Human beings are social creatures. However, that does not mean they can be forced into a group identity against their will. That is why the attempts to do this through a Pax Romana, Pax Britannica or Pax Americana have never been successful.
The world now is truly experiencing an era of globalization. In a positive sense, the movement of people, commodities, information and funds across national borders are making national identity less crucial. On the negative side, issues of global warming, drug-smuggling, money-laundering, spread of weapons of mass destruction and global terrorism pose challenges to all human beings, regardless of nationality. These global realities require a new mode of thinking if humanity is to avoid a global crisis perhaps leading to the demise of human life.
If nations insist on protecting their sovereignty and pursuing their own national interests at the expense of global interests, that will be a tragedy for the nations and the world. Interdependence is already a reality -- however alarming to some -- that calls for cooperation within countries, within regions and around the world. Nationalism may have had a role to play in recent history, but in the present world, it is not a good policy.
It is time to go beyond nationalism. Therefore for those countries that remain closed to or isolated from the outside world, or for those that care only for their own national interests and ignore the global welfare, and those still regarding their territory as "holy land" that must be defended -- a new mindset is required. Especially for states that seek to build up military power and obtain nuclear capabilities, a serious adjustment of attitude is needed. Nationalism is never the only choice in moving forward; in the era of globalization, there is always an alternative choice that can lead to a win-win outcome.
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(Zhang Quanyi is an associate professor at the Zhejiang Wanli University in Ningbo, China, and a PhD candidate at Shanghai International Studies University, studying policy making and collective identity. He is currently a research fellow at the School of International Studies at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, under a grant by the Korea Foundation. He can be contacted at qyzhangupi@yahoo.com. ©Copyright Zhang Quanyi.)
