Threats Posed to the New States by the Current International Arena
The process of gaining independence and annexing a region from its motherland is always marked by bloodshed. However, long civil strife and destruction of the property lead to talks that force political leaders to cease part of their territories to others to ensure there is peace. This process is usually marked by celebrations and national festivities that attract leaders from all corners of the world. Human right groups spring up almost immediately after the formation of new states and neighboring countries including the international community starts salivating for the attractive opportunities offered by young nations. However, these new states like Kosovo and South Sudan hardly enjoy their freedoms before the bitter truth lands on their doorsteps. They think that they are independent and can make decisions without interference from other nations; however, this is usually not true and they are always shocked when they realize that they were more independent when they were part of other nations than what they are today. Globalization and the current international arena are hostile to all new states and that makes their entrance a nightmare that they wish to overcome.
First, modern international relations are controlled by policies that ensure states interact in a healthy way. Their policies must reflect the need to respect other players in the global scene. Therefore, nations cannot make independent decisions regarding their policies without consulting other states. New nations seldom enjoy their freedom with other states in the international arena due to the need to establish policies that do not only benefit them but also other countries. Therefore, this is an important way of understanding that there is not absolute freedom and new nations are exposed to uncertain futures regarding their policies. There is a need for new states to adjust very fast and accommodate the international policies that govern global issues. Today, new nations especially those in Africa are faced with the dilemma of choosing to do business with eastern or western countries; therefore, this affects their policies because they are forced to behave according to how their masters dictate.
Secondly, economic globalization has threatened the authority of most new states. The process of gaining sovereignty is not as easy as some people and states think. People and regions go to war with each other and this is accompanied by bloodshed and destruction of valuable property and infrastructure. Civil disobedience and other criminal activities become the order of the day and nobody cares about the future. However, when all the dust settles the reality begins to sink on them and they realize they have no roads, food, buildings, and other important economic resources. These new states must reorganize their economic regulatory standards and eliminate most of them to attract foreign capital. Therefore, they cannot act in opposition to market forces because they do not have the power to develop and sustain their economies. Globalization forces new states to expose their citizens to the dangers of international trade and restrictions. The social policy becomes subject to the needs of structural competition and dynamics of the labor market. Therefore, new states become vulnerable and interdependent because of contemporary security threats. The introduction of international monetary policies and the use of standard measures of value (dollar and pound) offer economic challenges that force new states to change their policies to attract foreign investments so that the value of their currencies can become stable and allow local traders to conduct their activities.
Thirdly, globalization enables new states to open their gates to other countries in the name of economic, social, and political exchange. However, the reality of this issue is that there is no country in the world that is sovereign. This terminology exists to fool countries to believe that they are in total control of their destiny. However, this ideology is wrong because it ignores the tenets of international coexistence. First, nations cannot become independent if their masters do not want to let them go. Therefore, they do not gain independence by themselves but by the deliberate action of their masters to allow them to do so. Secondly, new nations form armies very quickly and establish other security measures that will protect them from attacks from other countries. However, these attacks cannot resist or fight the introduction of modern technology, new ideas, and products in their countries. Even the strongest army in the world needs to borrow new ideas from other countries to ensure it strengthens its ability to protect its territory.
Lastly, terrorism knows no bounds and new states are becoming fertile grounds for the establishment and development of terrorist activities. Somalia had been in civil strife for more than two decades and gained independence recently. However, the presence of a new and weak government and its structures has offered fertile grounds for terrorism to exist. The new nation is unable to fight terrorism and at the same time develop its economy; therefore, it has to forego one aspect and this has increased insecurity in the East African region. The effects of terrorists in Somalia are felt by terrorism attacks on neighboring countries like Kenya and Uganda and there are fears that this criminal gang is becoming bolder due to the support it receives from Al-Qaida.
Links between Nationalism, Globalization, and Identity
Nationalism is a practice and belief that makes people have a sense of belonging to their country. Patriotism is a way of behavior that shows an individual loves his country. Nations have different ways of showing their uniqueness that enable them to be different from others. National anthems, flags, logos, constitutions, and other civic aspects distinguish nations from others. Nationalism is achieved when individuals accept and follow the rules that guide their behavior and love all aspects that promote development in their countries. A country’s history is an important part of its national culture and this includes past and present political leaders, events, and places that are respected because of their historic value. Globalization is a process that interrogates nations and enables them to exchange social, political, and cultural issues. This process is enhanced by improved transport and communication systems and world stability in politics and the economy. The need to improve local business and production activities force people to look for efficient and fast technologies and this enhances inter-states trade activities. Globalization is a two-way process that involves the exchange of ideas between developing and developed countries. Westernization is a one-way process because it involves Americanizing other countries. Identity is the expression of sovereignty and independence by nations or individuals. This helps them to be identified by others and thus it highlights the important characteristics that make them unique.
Nations have various aspects that enable their citizens to promote their sovereignty and ensure they protect and enjoy their territorial privileges. They identify themselves through their national flags and other aspects like constitutions, anthems, and policies that make them unique from others. Having a sense of identity promotes nationalism because it enables citizens to be proud of their countries. Patriotism is enhanced through identifying and protecting national aspects that are important in the history of a country. Celebrations of national holidays and key figures give states identity and allow them to express their patriotism to their countries. People cannot be proud of their country and promote nationalism if they do not identify what aspects make their countries unique. In addition, they cannot promote cohesion if they do not know and understand important events in their national calendars.
Globalization is a serious threat to nationalism and identity in the following ways. International policies endeavor to unify all countries and ensure they are equal and adopt similar laws. This means that some countries are forced to abandon their practices and traditions to avoid violating international regulations. In addition, globalization dilutes local traditions as modern technology replaces traditional practices and modern production. Nations adopt similar practices and this means that there will be no differences between them; therefore, they will lack identity as their practices become synchronized and characterized by modern aspects. Moreover, globalization pushes nations to abandon the need to promote regional development and makes them selfish. They relate with those that will benefit them and avoid relations with countries that will not offer then social, political, or economic gains. However, globalization makes the world to be similar and thus promotes integration among individuals and communities. In addition, it fosters good international relations by promoting the exchange of ideas, products, and technologies between countries. Lastly, it facilitates development in third world countries by ensuring that there is access to modern technology and ideas that help them to adopt cheap, efficient, and faster ways of transport, communication, production, and learning.