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Nationalism

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April Carter’s essay describes the differences between the key concepts of nationalism, global citizenship and cosmopolitism very well. A negative picture is painted of nationalism which I agree with as it indeed “has a tendency, often linked to a revival of bitter hostility towards neighboring nations” which has led to violent conflicts such as can be seen with former Yugoslavia.
“Nationalism” I find is an interesting example of humans’ link to our animal instinct to belong to a group. You can see in the wild packs of lions (who to us look, behave and act the same) and yet fight over land and food, just like humans do. The difference is that humans are supposed to be able to think beyond that primal instinct which I think is the goal of Global citizenship. I agree that Global citizenship is an aspiration not a reality (due in part to nationalism) that we should aim to harmoniously inhabit this world despite our differences in history, culture, country and ethnicity because at the end of the day we are all the same, we need food, love, and shelter; “we should regard all men as our fellow countrymen”. However I believe nationalism needs a better distinction as the hostility between countries is also seen within ones own country from supporting different football teams to where you went to school or where you live.
Whilst individual states have the right to defend their culture, land etc I question however the extent of this right when it interferes with human rights and liberty. Carter describes how the UN and international law attempts to resolve this issue by emphasizing that “ any violation of rights in one part of the world is felt everywhere”. I feel that at the moment the UN and international agencies that aim to achieve international law are like toothless tigers and are still an aspiration and not a reality (similar to global citizenship). From reading the

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