National Identity (Edexcel A Level Geography)

• Globalisation is the idea of global connections and global flows of people, ideas and goods, which effectively shrinks the world and produces borderless nations 
• Over time, the relevance and power of countries becomes less, producing 'hyper-globalisation', with a 'one global village with global citizens' sharing an identity within the 'one world' and thereby, reducing conflict and improving opportunities
• However, globalisation and its pervasive nature has increased the sense of nationalism with many countries attempting to reassert a national identity and sever the interconnectedness of countries
  • Brexit was a nationalist movement for the UK to leave the EU
  • Building of the US/Mexico border wall
• Therefore, nationalism remains a powerful force and is strengthened via:
  • Education
  • Sport
  • Political parties through emphasising loyalty to the 'institution' and 'ideals' of a nation state

Factors Used to Emphasise Nationalism

• For some, the idea of national identity is linked to sovereignty and view IGOs such as the World Bank, the UN, the EU and IMF, as having too much power and making unfair rules
• This is reinforced by political parties referring to 'taking back control' over the flow of laws, people and goods etc. 

• Identity and loyalty can be linked to:
  • Distinctive legal systems
    • In France, a person is considered guilty until they prove their innocence, whereas, the UK's legal system is innocent until proven guilty
    • The USA's Constitution Bill of Rights, Second Amendment of the 'right of the people to self-defence' and therefore, the right to bear arms
  • Methods of governance
    • Britain has the right to vote for representation in Parliament
    • The principles of the Magna Carta, 1215, is considered the foundation of British laws, liberties and principles and the first to identify 'human rights'
  • National ‘character’
    • British identity is seen as ideals of tolerance, determination, politeness and tea
    • France and 'liberty, equality and fraternity' - used to justify the ban of the burqa as a symbol of female oppression, which was incompatible with French culture and not a religious ban
  • Landscape 
    • The countryside can be linked to identity; such as the 'quintessential British country cottage with a thatched roof, nestled within beautiful gardens of soft colours'
    • However, it is difficult to distinguish 'where' this should be - Lake District, Cotswolds etc.
    • Artists, poets and writers have penned a particular view of a nations countryside as a national identity
      • Wordsworth's daffodils, Constable's 'Haywain' or Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights' etc.
      •  Federico Lorca's 'Sketches of Spain'
• There is a fine line between nationalism and fanaticism 
  • Fanaticism can lead to a belief that people who are seen as 'different and living in their country', are essentially wrong, improper, or inferior; whereas nationalism will recognise and value cultural differences to a point
• Inciting nationalism can lead to issues of sovereignty and national independence with far reaching consequences 
  • The referendum on EU membership in 2016, back fired on the Conservative party when nationalism was at the forefront to the 'leave' campaign, appealing to many of the UK's older citizens

• Most countries are multinational with contrasting ethnic groups (linked to migration) therefore, questions of national identity and loyalty are complex 
• This is particularly evident in an era of globalisation where many people will have mixed loyalties to their:
  • Place of birth
  • Place of current residence
  • Cultural heritage
• Furthermore, changes in religion, food and language have modified perceptions of national identity
• National identity and loyalty is generally higher in ethnically diverse areas due to a sense of belonging and national pride among individuals who identify with multiple cultures
• Cultural cohesion and how states achieve this, is debated

Cultural Cohesion in NZ, UK and USA

Factors that strengthen national identity

• Countries with a common language and a long history, will tend to have a stronger national identity
• Countries with clear physical borders
• Government action can attempt to strengthen national identity (e.g. USA: daily pledging allegiance to the flag, UK: lessons in British values)
• Sport can strengthen national identity (London 2012); however, this may be short-lived (Scottish referendum 2014 and Brexit vote 2016)

Factors that can weaken national identity

• Countries with clear tribal or religious differences may lack national identity or coherence (e.g. Kenya, Nigeria, Syria), and may be exploited by extremists which may harden attitudes and identity to a sub-group, rather than to the nation
• International migration can weaken national identity as cultures blend and may challenge the status quo, such as Sharia Law in UK
• Social media allows individuals to build identity through a common interest, which may be global in extent, making the nation irrelevant
• Individuals may choose to reject the nation’s identity (such as those going to join IS in Syria) and if enough do this, the nation’s identity itself may be threatened