The Impact of Nationalism on International Relations

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Nationalism is a strong sense of pride in one’s own nation and nationhood. It is characterized by policies, emotion, and behavior, which focus on issues of national identity, language, culture and homeland. Although Nationalism has been around since antiquity and still remains an integral element of the global political landscape, its impact on international relations has been using only recently. The rise of Nationalism in different countries has dramatically affected the way countries interact with one another, creating both favorable and unfavorable consequences on international relations.

Exploring Nationalism 

Nationalism is fundamentally an ideology of independence and self-rule. People who identify themselves as nationalists strive to protect their nation’s autonomy and ensure the preservation of their culture and identity. Generally, modern nationalism is based on ideas of democratic government, but the exact meaning of the concept can differ from country to country. In some nations like the United States, nationalism is a positive force and is labeled as “American exceptionalism,” a concept which embraces American achievement and superiority. Conversely, in other countries, extreme forms of Nationalism, motivated by racism and xenophobia, often lead to conflicts between nations or with other ethnic groups.

The Impact of Nationalism on International Relations 

Nationalism, regardless if it is deemed a positive or negative force, has an undeniable impact on international relations. It can cause both cooperative and confrontational international interactions. To explore the multifaceted influence of Nationalism on international affairs, four of the major impacts have been summarized below.

Strengthening Ties Between Nations

In situations of mutual trust and respect, a positive form of Nationalism can have a constructive impact on international relations. This is because when people are firmly connected to their identity, their traditions and values, this identity serves as a source of stability which can be used to build strong diplomatic relations with other nations. By creating common goals that are based on self-determination, a strong sense of pride and shared culture, nation-to-nation collaboration can often occur.

Creating Clashes 

To the contrary, when Nationalism goes beyond healthy pride and is morphed into an aggressive and extremist ideology, it can lead to serious clashes between countries. For example, when two countries have conflicting worldviews, or if they share the same Nationhood but disagree on foreign policy, the strong sense of Nationalism can be used to fuel the tension between both countries. In the worst-case scenario, Nationalism can lead to war and can even be used to justify certain violations of international law.

Heightening Negotiating Powers 

Nationalism can also give a nation an upper hand when conducting negotiations. Because people tend to be more biased toward supporting their own country instead of foreign nations, high levels of Nationalistic pride can give a country’s representatives greater negotiating power. Furthermore, a strong sense of loyalty to one’s nation is often used as a way to pressure other nations into giving into their demands.

Heightening Political Competitiveness 

On the whole, considering the number of nations in the current international arena, the emergence of Nationalism has led to increased political competitiveness. With so many countries vying for power, the buildup of nationalist attitudes has helped to differentiate countries and to give them distinct positions to distinguish them in the political marketplace. In this sense, Nationalism has intensified competition between nations, making it even more of a challenge for countries to maintain friendly relationships.

In summary, Nationalism, with its positive and negative aspects, has drastically shaped the dynamics of international relations in the modern world. Whether it has been used to create cooperative relationships, or to inspire tension between countries, one thing is certain: Nationalism has had a significant effect on how states interact with one another on the global stage.

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