Opinion The reasons behind resurgence of nationalist sentiments across globe

One of the underappreciated economic effects of globalisation provides a significant boost to this resurgence. Even as globalisation made some people in certain places very wealthy and lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, it also disadvantaged many others. Consider the hollowed-out, once-thriving industrial towns of the West that still stand as a silent monument to industry jobs that were shipped overseas in pursuit of cheaper labour. For this reason, the wages for large segments of the working class in advanced countries remain stagnated.

When people feel economically insecure and see their communities facing hardship, their children’s futures imperilled, a natural human instinct takes hold: To blame something or someone. The abstract sway of the global market or the distant, occasionally impenetrable international organisations does not offer the graspable, personified evildoer that “foreign” and “elite” do. The pressures of economic distress fuel a hunger for national control, for protecting home industries, and for prioritising the national interest over the precarious values of world settlement. Calls to “buy local” and protectionist measures make for especially appealing solutions, even if sounding the occasional counter-note to conventional economic theory.

Railing alongside these gnawing economic fears is the potent, emotional force of culture and identity, of the sense of traditional ways of life slipping away. The instant global connection of the present is causing massive unease. Distinctive culture, tradition, and group-value systems are at risk of being diluted or assimilated into mainstream culture. It’s not necessarily xenophobic, but an emotional reaction to wanting to maintain a community’s basic character. Fresh arrivals are something to worry about, even though they turn out to provide economic benefits. A strong national identity is the foundation on which many form a sense of belonging in a world that has changed beyond recognition. We hope to elicit a sense of shared aim or purpose through standard narratives, symbols, and routines.

Nationalism is not necessarily xenophobic. In a rapidly changing world, such strong national identities are reassuring for many citizens who no longer feel a sense of community and home.

The establishment of solidarity can breed frustration with old-style politics. Over many years, political parties at opposite ends of the spectrum appeared to be two peas in a pod, pushing globalist solutions. As economic and social anxieties intensified, people in droves felt neglected by the political establishment. This void was filled by populist politicians who employed potent nationalist rhetoric. Their central message is a compelling pledge: Our interests come first; protecting citizens is supreme; and defiance against threats is necessary. They speak in language that resonates with those who have fallen through the cracks of traditional power systems. Nationalist movements have also drawn support from general anti-establishment sentiment and a longing for strongmen. Examples such as Trump’s “Make America Great Again” and the Brexit “take back control” illustrate this point. PM Modi’s concern over a lingering “slave mentality” seeks to foster greater nationalistic sentiment.

Another factor is the rise of multipolarity and geopolitical rebalancing. The post-Cold War age of American hegemony is on the wane. The world now confronts emergent global players, contests over resources, and an unravelling of international conventions. Given the instability, countries increasingly look inward and toward self-sufficiency, with cooperation taking a backseat. This may take the form of more assertive foreign policy, greater emphasis on the military, and a cautious approach to alliances. In a competitive world, national grit and fierce independence are a rallying cry.

In the age of social media, pre-existing views are amplified. Online media give these nationalist narratives a platform to spread quickly and virally, creating a sense of shared grievance. Engagement-driven algorithms unmoor reality, spreading sensationalism and drowning dissent.

Publicly stated globalist issues were not adequately addressed by conventional politics, and into this vacuum marched leaders who preached brawny nationalism. They address their followers directly in emotional language that appeals to those left out by mainstream politics.

Nationalist movements are surging in response to anti-establishment sentiment and a yearning for decisive leadership. The liberal order is dying. Globalisation is regressing. Nor can we discount the role of multipolarity and shifting geopolitical balances. By diagnosing the causes of the resurgence of nationalism, we can engage in discussions that grapple with economic anxieties, cultural identity, and a longing for community. Only through increased awareness can we confront exclusionary nationalism and its consequences, thereby safeguarding both our global ties and ourselves.

The writer teaches at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and was the Eugenio Lopez Visiting Chair at the Department of International Studies and Political Science at Virginia Military Institute, US