Nationalism Verses Internationalism Understanding the Dilemma Does promoting

Nationalism Verses Internationalism: Understanding the Dilemma Does promoting internationalism affect nationalism?

Questions to Consider: • Why is nationalism sometimes sacrificed in favour of internationalism? • How is nationalism sometimes sacrificed in favour of internationalism? • What are some of the impacts of sacrificing nationalism in the interest of internationalism?

The European Union “Half a century of European integration has shown that the EU as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts: it has much more economic, social, technological, commercial, and political clout than if its member states had to act individually. There is added value in acting together and speaking with a single voice as the European Union”

The European Union • The leadership of the EU would like member nations to move together politically and diplomatically so that, like a single nation-state, they can communicate internationally with one voice.

The European Union • What challenges are encountered with this pursuit? • Do nations give up their sovereignty? • What happens to minority or less powerful nation -states? • Who benefits the most? • Who loses the most?

Must NATIONALISM be sacrificed in the interest of INTERNATIONALISM? • As a Canadian, what would you give up in terms of your national identity to support world peace and security?

The Schengen Agreement, 1985 • Abolishes/relaxes border controls between the participating European nationstates • 26 European countries (22 are EU states) agreed to freedom of movement within the Union and other • …but Great Britain, Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria remained outside of the agreement • WHY?

The Schengen Agreement • Fears of terrorism (with reduced border control) • Illegal immigration • Trafficking of controlled substances (especially from nation-stateswith vulnerable coastlines) • The creation of a European culture at the expense of national cultures.

The European Union • Nations choosing to join the EU must accept changes to laws, governance, labour laws, economics and civil rights.

The European Union • Great Britain was reluctant to join the EU due to concerns about national interests and identity, but ultimately did so. – Brexit June 2016, 52% to 48% referendum • Given these types of concerns, why have 27 other nations, including (soon-to-be excluding), Great Britain joined the EU?

Benefits • As nations in Europe open their borders within the EU, their relationships to one another change. • Almost like Canada’s provinces, these nation-states allow unimpeded travel among themselves.

Benefits • Trade tariffs and restrictions are reduced, allowing for economic growth. • People can search for work over a much larger area, and employers can draw from a much larger pool of workers and professionals.

From the EU Commissioner “Europe must assume responsibility for peace and development in the world… With a single voice we can wield real influence. Only united can we put down our own humanist stamp on globalization and infuse it with Europe’s social values…”

Reconciling Nationalism And Internationalism • How might nationalism be compromised in favour of internationalism?

Economics • Economically, a globalized economy has led to the internationalization of rules (especially in regards to free trade) • NAFTA and the WTO are examples of this.

THE WTO • Attempts to internationalize trade rules • Self-executing enforcement (the organization has the ability to enforce decisions on member nations even if they disagree) • National governments are less able to assert their sovereignty in many areas because their hands are tied by WTO rules.

Politics • Politically, citizenship lines become blurred (an interesting fact: in an attempt to create a sense of European citizenship, citizens of the EU can run for election in any member state)

The EU • Has developed many features of any other nation-state • Common currency, a parliament, a flag, and even an anthem • Pooled Sovereignty: where a political body of elected representatives of each member nation makes decisions for the members of the organization.

Canada and the United States • Shared security is a growing concern in the light of the terrorist threats and attacks has increased in recent years. • Since Sept. 11, Canada and the US have increasingly coordinated relations between the CIA and CSIS, as well as border control. • Mutual benefits result from this.

A Matter of Perspective • The impact of internationalism is all a matter of perspective… things to consider are: – National sovereignty vs. collective power – National security vs. collective security – Economic growth and ability to compete – Is a nation-state capable of self-sufficiency on its own? – Is isolationism a viable option in this globalized world?