Is globalism more important than nationalism?

Rob (Nationalism)

In a world with so much diversity and so many countries, it is critical for each to keep their unique cultures and identities. Nationalism advocates for the preservation of each nation's sovereignty, ensuring that individual countries retain control over critical decisions affecting their well-being. They are able to preserve their unique traditions and history from the infiltration of other cultures as a result of immigration and a homogenized Western-centric society, which globalism advocates for.

Additionally, nationalism prevents the erosion of democratic principles, and offers a better and more direct representation of people from individual countries, shielding them from the diluted influence on the global stage. Globalism promotes the overdependence of smaller countries on more developed ones for essential goods and services, which could have potentially devastating effects in case of a disruption in the global supply chain. Nationalism, on the other hand, encourages individual countries to develop self-sufficient means of production, otherwise known as autarky. 

With globalism, the risk of international conflict is heightened since developed countries are constantly fighting to claim world superpower status. There’s also a constant struggle to claim other countries as allies, which puts the world at risk of a large-scale war. Insecurity also heightens since globalism can lead to challenges in controlling immigration as it advocates for minimum constraints on cross-border mobility. 

Lastly, while the extensive financial inter-connectedness between countries in globalism has some benefits, it also means an economic crisis in one country could swiftly spread and impact the rest of the world. Nationalism, by emphasizing sovereignty and independence, essentially provides individual countries with autonomy in defining policies, laws, and government in order to protect them from the detrimental impacts of globalism. 

Maha (Globalism)

Globalism may be hated to the point that 'globalist’ is considered a slur, but it has many benefits to offer. In today’s connected world, everyone benefits by doing better together. This was proven during the heyday of globalization between 1993 and 2015 when the number of poor nations was halved. Poverty-stricken South Korea became wealthy as it embraced globalism, whereas its isolated counterpart, North Korea, suffered an economic downturn and famine. 

Early globalism further supported the tech boom. The spread of knowledge and technology increased both innovation and productivity, even when global productivity growth was weak between 2004 and 2014. Emerging market economies especially thrived, growing by 40%.

Connectivity due to tech also improves the quality of life. It influences medical academics, healthcare delivery, and even diagnostics in healthcare. It further harnesses the power of peace by spreading awareness and improving transparency and accountability.  

Globalism promotes the values of freedom, universalism, and humanity. Human rights research organization Freedom House reported that 45% of the world’s population now live in “free” countries, a 10% increase from 1973. Moreover, 64% of the world's governments became democracies, which is the highest number in 33 years. 

Globalism also has positive social implications. With access to information, women in different nations discover their personal and social freedoms. Child labor is also reduced due to a comparatively educated labor force and active social policies. 

Even the environment gains from globalism as it motivates countries to cooperate, resolve different issues, and extend corporate social responsibility programs across borders. So, while nationalism has countries feeling more secure and less susceptible to volatility, the world will regret not embracing globalism soon.