The world wars badly destroyed the concept of nationalism and led to the establishment of the United Nations and the European Economic Community or the Common Market. These transnational organizations were hoping to prevent the spread of nationalism in favor of the spread of international cooperation. The West made us believe that liberal political order was the wave of the future. In the West liberalism ruled our world for quite some time because many Westerners were proud to believe in and made us believe in the spirit of liberalism that claimed it was the only way humans could live in prosperity and peace. The story of liberalism became more popular than that of the birth of Jesus. Indeed many Westerners believed its unique combination of democratic institutions, integrated markets, rule of law, and open borders created European civilian power. It is true that more people are dying from eating too much than from starvation; it is true that more people are dying from old age than from diseases; and more people killed themselves whether using drug, commit suicide than died in war.Nationalism is rise in the major EU countries and was the major issue in the French election this week and even the reason for it. From Western Europe to Africa, to Kurdistan, to Syria and on to the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, people continue to kill and to die for the idea of nation. But we have to keep in mind that international relations are not based on international law, justice, equality, fairness, and institutions, but rather on the actual distribution and balance of power between major nations, their alliances, and their common interests. This is what determines how effective and practical the international law and its mechanisms are. The United Nations’ Special Rapporteur Dr. Agnes Callamard visited the Philippines to attend an academic conference on the drug policy at the University of the Philippines last Friday. Callamard lectured Philippines and warned that the President’s war on drugs does not work. She was praised by opponents in the Philippines who had spoken out against Duterte’s drug war. The question is why should the Philippines listen to her? What makes her right? We already know the UN is a useless club in general and has no credibility to solve the global issues, because the UN itself is involved in so much corruption and human trafficking. We all know how EU countries treated Syrian refugees and immigrants She should correct that institution first before lecturing others.
The false story of liberalism ruled our world for many decades; it was very popular. The idea is that every one is right and that if we only liberalize and globalize our political and economic systems, we will all live in peace and harmony on the earth with equality for all. Liberalists made us believe that if dictators kept falling and more states held free elections, defended free speech, implemented the rule of law, adopted competitive markets, and joined the EU or NATO, then we would all live in peace and harmony. The faith in human capacity is now collapsing.
Since 2008, the EU has been struggling with a myriad of social, political, and economical problem. The economic crisis prepared the ground for the rise of nationalism and paved the way for the end of multiculturalism. The Arab Spring has turned into an Islamic winter with jihad movements filling vacuums. In Russia, China, Turkey, Philippines, Egypt, India, and the United States we see citizens choosing strong leaders whose bold actions will help the people they represent. According to Larry Diamond, author of The Spirit of Democracy, democracy has broken down in 27 countries, while many existing authoritarian regimes have become even more authoritarian.
The economic crisis that brought down the Eurozone and Britain’s exist from the European Union signal a new world order with ventures in France, the United States, Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, as well as interventions that have destabilized North Africa, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. In addition, millions of people have sought refugee in the EU, and homegrown terrorists have made EU citizens live in fear. The tensions between the East and Western Europe go back to the pre-collapse of the Soviet Era. There is a lack of charismatic leaders in the EU to solve all the EU’s problems. There is also a real danger that the EU will collapse.
Many Europeans believe nationalism to be the best response to the challenges of the EU’s problems, and, therefore, we see the rise of nationalism in Poland, Hungary, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Italy, and even in the United States. Muslims immigrants in those countries who reject Western values and fail to integrate and the rise of Fundamentalism in the West have strengthened those parties’ position to come into power.
The core principles of the EU projects are founded on peace, freedom of speech, justice, human rights, tolerance, but those principles are being replaced with national interests. In the current election in France, the party leaders on the right and the left have built public opinion based on fear. Even if Emmanuel Macron, a pro-EU centrist won the French Presidential election, defeating his far right rival Marine Le Pen in a run off vote, there is nothing that can stop the return of nationalism.
Dr. Aland Mizell is President of the MCI and a regular contributor to Mindanao Times. You may email the author at:aland_mizell2@hotmail.com
