Rising nationalism a threat to globalization

In this fast-paced era, two powerful and often opposing forces have come to light: globalization and jingoism. These dynamics are shaping human history in various ways. Globalization has increased prosperity, innovation, and cultural exchange, but it's also brought social challenges requiring global action for mitigation of their effects on society and the environment alike. Juxtaposed with this is aggressive nationalism, or jingoism, a mechanism fostering intolerance and leading to societal upheavals and political instability through conflict arising from divisive beliefs, which only fuel negativity. As with other countries, Nepal is facing the dilemmas and possibilities of globalization and nationalism. Achieving equilibrium between these two factors has become more crucial because we live in a world that's highly interconnected. It's vital to advocate global partnership, intercultural exchanges, and sustainable development while also remaining vigilant about preserving national identity, safeguarding local industries, and promoting appreciation for cultural heritage. Defining globalization and jingoism

The phenomenon of globalization pertains to a growing interdependence amongst individuals, corporations, and nations across the globe by means of extended trade routes, investments made abroad, and the exchange of information. The positive aspects have been immense, such as a boost in economic progressiveness resulting from innovation alongside cultural interactions; however, it has also wrought difficulties like disparity among countries or regions within them, destruction of natural environments, and the loss or dilution of traditional cultures worldwide.

In contrast, jingoism denotes a more forceful kind of patriotism. This belief prioritizes one's country above all other nations and can cause feelings of suspicion or animosity toward countries deemed unworthy. Jingoistic attitudes can take many forms, such as encouraging racism against foreign individuals, refusing to participate in international affairs that would benefit mutual interests, and using the military to control rival states. Although it may evoke patriotic sentiments, its consequences are often divisive, including harmful social dissension, disputes, and political agitation. A force that shapes our planet In the modern world, globalization has become an undeniable force that shapes our planet. We can see its impact on the growth of economies and businesses all around us, as well as foster innovation and creativity through sharing knowledge across borders, leading to advances in fields such as medicine, engineering, and communication. This creates more job opportunities, especially for developing countries that have greatly benefited from its widespread expansion into markets worldwide. Moreover, globalization promotes cultural exchange by making it easier for people to learn about different cultures, which fosters a greater understanding among individuals with diverse backgrounds—a significant benefit that cannot go unnoticed today. The basic component of globalization has been trade. Countries have gained comparative advantages through specialization in specific manufacturing sectors. Yet, as businesses look for ways to save costs, it has also resulted in the violation of labor rights. Another challenge with globalization is environmental degradation. Rising demand for resources and the use of fossil fuels have caused pollution, climate change, and the depletion of natural resources. In the debate over globalization, immigration has been a complicated issue. Amid increasing cultural exchanges, security and terrorism-related worries have also increased. Economic growth, cross-cultural exchange, environmental destruction, inequality, and territorial integrity are the main drawbacks of globalization. Global cooperation and the implementation of fairness, protectionism, and multiculturalism-promoting policies are required to overcome these issues. International cooperation In order to tackle today's increasingly complex and interrelated global challenges, international cooperation is essential. To find appropriate remedies for issues like climate change, pandemics, economic inequality, and political uncertainty, we need to collaborate and establish global governing institutions. Nations can pool their resources, knowledge, and technology through international collaboration in order to resolve common issues. Moreover, collaboration makes it easier to coordinate policies and initiatives as well as share best practices and lessons learned. Countries could cooperate and collaborate on initiatives attributable to international institutions like the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the International Monetary Fund. Moreover, international collaboration fosters the ideals of international respect, trust, and understanding. It facilitates cross-cultural understanding and fosters a sense of oneness. Collaboration between the public and private sectors, information exchange and coordination, resource mobilization, the creation of international frameworks and agreements, and the building of international institutions are all made possible by international cooperation. Global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change offer direction to nations and stakeholders in tackling these issues. Working collectively, countries and organizations can create international frameworks and agreements, build international institutions, improve public-private sector collaboration, and more effectively address global concerns. A more sustainable, fair, and prosperous world could result from the success of these initiatives. A balancing act Globalization can promote economic development and cross-cultural engagement, whereas jingoism can breed chauvinism, isolationism, and conflict. For the sake of humanity in its entirety, it is crucial to find a solution to balance these two forces. While addressing the drawbacks of globalization, it is critical to also acknowledge its advantages. Economic expansion and cultural engagement brought about by globalization can improve global growth and mutual understanding. Globalization, however, may also lead to the exploitation of labor, resources, and cultural norms. Thus, it is imperative to control the detrimental effects that globalization has through laws that support fair trade, sustainable development, and cultural diversity. Finding a means of harnessing the positive aspects of globalization while controlling its negative effects is necessary to strike a balance between globalization and jingoism. Policies that support fair commerce, sustainable development, and cultural variety can help achieve this. Promoting international collaboration and cooperation is also necessary, as opposed to a restricted emphasis on national interests. In order to achieve this balance, diplomacy, cultural exchange, and the development of international organizations that encourage cooperation and understanding may all be extremely important. Through education, we can encourage a balanced attitude toward globalization and nationalism. Education can build a more nuanced knowledge of the world and encourage an inclusive and collaborative attitude by raising awareness of both the advantages and disadvantages of these forces. The author is the President and Founder, Lumbini World Peace Forum