As the world
continues on the path of globalization, what will be the fate of nation states?
Will the democratic governments, fascist dictatorial regimes, and communist
governments of the world survive in a world with widespread travel,
communication and overall accessibility.
What will tie down a group of people together, rather than geography,
forming the basis for a government body to exist? In the book, How Soccer explains the World, Franklin
Foer argues the game of soccer as analysis and a metaphor for understanding the
rapid globalization that has occurred in the world. Although many see the end
of traditional national state governments, to be replaced by weak regional
governments with more global governing organizations taking the forefront, I
believe that soccer as much as it has aided globalization will actually
maintain the status quo is governmental power and influence. This limited state
power is embodied in the corporate driven utopia portrayed in the novel Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson.
However, what the evidence given in
Foer’s book I believe points to a different future, one where globalization
still occurs, but through the utilization of soccer and other more deceptive
tools, national governments will still retain power and significance. The
cultural and social power of soccer is immense. The sense of national pride
that is attained when the national team does well at the World Cup or when any
sportsman does well in an Olympic event on the world stage that sense of
nationalism is here to stay and I do not believe globalization will end that
nationalist tendency in the citizens of the world. Although the growth in
trade, corporate power and influence may not waver, the utilization of sports,
soccer and other nationalistic events by political leaders will ensue the resilience
of traditional governmental bodies.
As soccer explains the new
globalized world that has emerged out of the shadows of the cold war and major
world wars of the 20th century. The unification of the world through
sport also unifies a nation. Just as World leaders attend World cup matches and
the Olympics the hosting of these events, the attendance, all turns very
political very quickly. The political rhetoric brought by soccer, only possible
through globalization, I believe will fuel a return to a more state driven
national identity that will propel forward in to international relations. This
unavoidable conclusion will hold back the world to other benefits of
globalization, as geographic cultural influences surpass the transparency of
globalization. However at the same time this nationalism can prevent corporate
power from reaching level of supreme control.
I agree that nationalism and the traditional nation state is going to continue, however I think the counterargument deserves more explanation. People on the other side of the argument believe that people will have less identity to their individual country and more of an identity with the EU and other multinational governing bodies. People will begin to think of themselves less as Chinese, Japanese and Korean but more as Asian. This represents a general shift in nationalism and individuals personal identities. Although this shift may not lead to widespread changes occurring throughout the world, it will represent a different mindset. People may be less likely to have national pride and more happy to celebrate regional culture.
ReplyDeleteUpon reviewing my blog post, I agree that my analysis fails to fully counter the counterargument. I think that change in pride of more regional culture based rather then nationally focused is an important point that will most likely occur. There is definitely evidence of that today. However with soccer matches and other national competitions, it directly opposes this effect of globalization and again sectionalizes countries from their regional neighbors. Even in Europe the contention felt between nations and belief of strong independent unique social identity within particular nations is highlighted with international competition. The power of that force is certainly debatable, but I argue that under the right political leadership that might foster a resurgences of nationalism.
DeleteSports do help intensify nationalism in states. Soccer has great social and cultural power over nations and does have influence in politics. Whether or not a political leader attends a World Cup match is a big deal and comes from globalization. Also, I agree with your statement on how world leaders attendance at sporting events often turns political. The future of how globalization plays out is still unclear like the relations between nations, cultural aspects and how it affects the corporate world.
ReplyDelete