Research Paper on Nationalism, Populism, and Anti-Globalization

Introduction

Three of the broadest international political developments this year are the advent of nationalism, populism, and anti-globalization. How have the three trends reinforced each other? Describe at least two ways, with specific examples supporting your answer.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Response: Globally, political ideologies have established political developments which have affected the way countries relate with each other. Countries follow different political ideologies with the aim of protecting their national interests and reducing influence from other nations in the world. Nationalism, populism, and anti-globalization are some of the most popular political ideologies countries in the world have based their perceptions towards forming international relations with other nations (Gourevitch, 1978). The nationalism ideology perceives that an individual is devoted and loyal to his or her country, and that person or group interests do not surpass a person's commitment towards his or her nation. The spirit of nationalism affects the way people think or behave since their minds perceive the status of their country more important than their personal needs. From a political point of view, nationalism identifies a country with its citizens who have a desire to uphold their national price by strictly following and obeying their ethnographic principles (Walt, 1998). The nationalism ideology promotes the independence and sovereignty of a country as it believes that people can be united by the similar interests and ideas they have about their nation and govern themselves without external assistance. The process of building and maintaining a country's identity is important as citizens of such a nation share the same political beliefs, culture religious practices, and speak in the same language (Rochester, 2011). This means the people are united and share a collective goal that binds them towards restructuring their country. Nationalism is a modern political ideology as people in the past were attached to their traditions or territorial boundaries, meaning people in the same country would be divided based on their tribal differences.

On the other hand, populism as a political ideology appeals that draws people together to share a particular belief (Rochester, 2011). It sets people apart from another group that has a different ideology, meaning citizens of one country can be politically divided based on the philosophy they believe should manage their country. Politicians across the world have most often argued they are populists, a status that allows them to distance themselves from political misgivings happening in their country. Populists assume the other group of people that do not subscribe to their ideology fail to understand their commitment towards the national goals and refer to them as elites. Politically, populist position the elite group as one that fails to recognize the interests of locals in a country and choose to interact and entertain external forces to drive their personal and selfish agendas on the nation. (Mearsheimer, 2002) Populists believe they uphold the national interests at the expense of foreign countries. Gourevitch (1978) stated that populism creates an enabling environment for the advancement of a democratic ideology in the political decision-making process. This is because it seeks to involve all citizens of a country in the national matters by having active and direct participation through voting or expressing their ideas which leaders can use in the decision-making process. When citizens are involved in the decision-making process, they feel part of the nation since their ideas are put into consideration.

Anti-globalization is a concept that opposes the ideology of corporate and economic integration of countries in the world (Gourevitch, 1978). The anti-globalization ideology argues that nations are unequal in political social, trade, and financial strengths meaning that some countries will take advantage of others by enjoying more benefits. Activists on the anti-globalization movement perceive established, influential, and organized international companies may abuse their positions by controlling important economic and financial sources of some nations in the world. The activists advocate for regularization control so that a sustainable and conducive environment can be created where all nations can enjoy the same benefits from engaging in international relations. The concept of anti-globalization was developed in the late 20th Century and early 21st Century after movements representing social issues argued some powerful countries in the world that had established themselves economically would continue expanding their control in other parts on the global scene to harness their strengths (Mearsheimer, 2002). With the absence of regulations to limit their influence and expansion activities, the elite group of countries would control the world and focus on their interests, ignoring the needs of other nations.

Nationalism, populism, and anti-globalization trends have reinforced each other by positioning themselves as ideologies that support national supremacy and consideration, a concept that allows nations of the world to govern themselves with little or no interference (Rochester, 2011). The three trends recognize each nation in the world, irrespective of its economic or political stability as being capable of designing strategies that can initiate growth and expansion in the country. It is the assumption that each nation has the necessary economic and human resources to formulate strategies that will create an enabling environment for all citizens to establish themselves. The rise, development, and establishment of nationalism, populism, and anti-globalization ideologies allow people to adopt a peaceful and inclusionary approach towards bringing people together as a group with similar objectives (Walt, 1998). For instance, nationalists and populists encourage citizens of a country to perceive their nation as strong and stable enough to make realistic choices that will benefit every person. The idea of perceiving foreign powers as superior is discouraged as it demonstrates the lack of trust and belief in a country's leaders and their ability to make independent decisions (Rochester, 2011). Additionally, anti-globalization discourages the extreme control of established countries over the developing nations through the establishment of regulations that globalization activists should follow.

In order for nationalism, populism, and anti-globalization trends to be fully established, activists should manifest themselves as liberators pushing for a radicalization that will bring positive change in a country both in the short-term and in the long-term (Gourevitch, 1978). Populists and nationalists should use the established political channels in a country to voice their ideologies so that they can attract and retain the attention of citizens in a country. Their approach should position them as drivers of change and democracy that will transform the livelihoods and status of the country both in the short-term and in the long-term (Mearsheimer, 2002). In order for the political ideologies to gain popularity, they must unite people of a nation together. Implementing the popular belief system should create an enabling environment for democracy to be upheld and the will of people to act as a guide to the decisions made by activists.

Diffusing the nationalism, populism, and anti-globalization ideologies in a country allow the local leaders to position themselves as strategists that can drive change in their nations (Simmons & Elkins, 2004). It involves creating a nation that can make independent decisions and relate with other countries in the world on the same level economically and politically. Nationalism, populism, and anti-globalization discourage superpowers in the world from exerting their control on all resources and making self-centered decisions that will benefit them at the expense of other nations. Nationalism, populism, and anti-globalization does not discourage politicians from meeting and sharing ideas on better governance, rather, it supports the ideology that each political economy in a country is unique (Walt, 1998). It means that countries of the world can live in perfect harmony despite the various political theories governing nations.

Nationalism, populism, and anti-globalization have reinforced each other by supporting the idea that countries can achieve their economic, personal, and social goals as long as they are committed towards their collective goals. Leaders of a country have the responsibility of formulating policies that bring citizens of a nation together to work towards economic efficiency by being self-reliant. Relationships with other countries are initiated and supported when there is a mutual benefit for both partners. A country can become economically stable when vices of corruption and embezzlement of funds are avoided by the policymakers, and instead, they focus on building the nation. Nationalism makes citizens of a country put their personal interests aside and focus on acts that benefit their nation's stability and position it as a stable one in the competitive global market. Nationalists and populist activists pledge allegiance and loyalty to their state and are confident by selling their idea to their fellow citizens who are expected to develop the same attitude. In times of conflict or economic stress, nationalism, populism and anti-globalization ideologies bind citizens of a country together as they come up with strategies to rise out of the current status. This creates a conducive environment for the development of complex yet sophisticated strategies to rebuild the nation. Political ideologies that trigger or promote separation are discouraged as citizens are encouraged to work together.

Comparative Politics - Brazil in Focus

Question: As seen by the unprecedented ouster of Presidents around the world the past two years - from South Korea to Guatemala to Brazil and possibly South Africa - corruption has emerged as one of the greatest sources of political unrest and opposition. Explain three ways in which corruption is shaping democracy, citing at least one scholar and one example to support each reason.

Response: Corruption is one of the challenges facing both developed and developing nations across the world as elected leaders are taking advantage of their positions and siphoning public funds to engage in personal projects at the expense of citizens in a country. Most political leaders are enriching themselves by using the taxpayers' money to support their personal interests (Cardoso, 2009). Corruption has resulted in poor development for nations like Brazil, South Korea, South Africa, and others, leading to high poverty levels since the economic status of a country is directly affected by the social evil of corruption. Resources meant to build and support public projects are diverted, leading to low or no development. Leaders in political positions protect each other's corrupt deals, reducing the probability of having politicians persecuted in courts for embezzlement of funds (Kohli, 2006). Ultimately, members of the public get tired of the constant and regular corrupt activities their leaders engage, leading to frustration, political unrest, and opposition. For instance, when members of the public cannot access medication at health care facilities because the government has failed to purchase drugs, they may riot to express their anger and discontentment against their leaders, provoking to political unrest.

One of the ways in which corruption is shaping democracy is by prosecuting former leaders in court for the corruption activities they did while they were in office (Stallings, 200...