Postnationalism
Encyclopedia
Postnationalism describes the process or trend by which nation states and national identities lose their importance relative to supranational and global entities. Although postnationalism is not strictly the antonym of nationalism
, the two terms and their associated assumptions are antithetic.
There are several factors that contribute to aspects of postnationalism, including economic, political, and cultural elements.
Increasing globalization
of economic factors, such as the expansion of international trade
with raw materials, manufactured goods, and services, and the importance of multinational corporations and internationalization of financial markets, have shifted emphasis from national economies to global ones. At the same time, political power
is partially transferred from national authorities to supernational entities, such as the United Nations
, the European Union
, the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), or NATO. In addition, media and entertainment
industries are becoming increasingly global and facilitate the formation of trends and opinions on a supranational scale. Migration
of individuals or groups between countries contributes to the formation of postnational identities and beliefs, even though attachment to citizenship and national identities often remains important.
, postnationalism is linked to the expansion of international human rights
law
and norm
s. International human rights norms are reflected in a growing stress on the rights of individuals in terms of their "personhood," not just their citizenship
. International human rights law does not recognize the right of entry to any state by non-citizens
, but demands that individuals should be judged increasingly on universal
criteria not particularistic criteria (such as blood descent in ethnicity, or favoring a particular sex). This has impacted citizenship and immigration
law, especially in western
countries. Germany
, for example, has felt pressure to, and has diluted (if not eradicated), citizenship based on ethnic descent, which had caused German-born Turks, for example, to be excluded from German citizenship. Scholars identified with this argument include Yasemin Soysal, David Jacobson
, and Saskia Sassen.
at McMaster University
, argues that while the internet and online social relations forge social and political bonds across national borders, they do not have "the commitment or cohesiveness needed to underpin a demanding new mode of social and political relations".
and enjoyment of the event were more important than national rivalries or even winning.
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
, the two terms and their associated assumptions are antithetic.
There are several factors that contribute to aspects of postnationalism, including economic, political, and cultural elements.
Increasing globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
of economic factors, such as the expansion of international trade
International trade
International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade represents a significant share of gross domestic product...
with raw materials, manufactured goods, and services, and the importance of multinational corporations and internationalization of financial markets, have shifted emphasis from national economies to global ones. At the same time, political power
Political power
Political power is a type of power held by a group in a society which allows administration of some or all of public resources, including labour, and wealth. There are many ways to obtain possession of such power. At the nation-state level political legitimacy for political power is held by the...
is partially transferred from national authorities to supernational entities, such as the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, the North American Free Trade Agreement
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
(NAFTA), or NATO. In addition, media and entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
industries are becoming increasingly global and facilitate the formation of trends and opinions on a supranational scale. Migration
Human migration
Human migration is physical movement by humans from one area to another, sometimes over long distances or in large groups. Historically this movement was nomadic, often causing significant conflict with the indigenous population and their displacement or cultural assimilation. Only a few nomadic...
of individuals or groups between countries contributes to the formation of postnational identities and beliefs, even though attachment to citizenship and national identities often remains important.
Postnationalism and Human Rights
In the scholarly literatureLiterature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, postnationalism is linked to the expansion of international human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
and norm
Norm
-In academia:A designated standard of average performance of people of a given age, background, etc.*Norm , a set of statements used to regulate artificial intelligence software...
s. International human rights norms are reflected in a growing stress on the rights of individuals in terms of their "personhood," not just their citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
. International human rights law does not recognize the right of entry to any state by non-citizens
Non-citizens
Non-citizens:* Non-citizens * Non-citizens * Alien...
, but demands that individuals should be judged increasingly on universal
Universal
-Companies and organizations:* NBC Universal, a media and entertainment company** Universal Studios, an American film studio, and subsidiary of NBC Universal** Universal Channel, a television channel owned by NBC Universal...
criteria not particularistic criteria (such as blood descent in ethnicity, or favoring a particular sex). This has impacted citizenship and immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
law, especially in western
Western
Western may refer to:* Western , a category of fiction and visual art centered on the American Old West** Western fiction, the Western genre as featured in literature* Western music, a type of American folk music-In geography:...
countries. Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, for example, has felt pressure to, and has diluted (if not eradicated), citizenship based on ethnic descent, which had caused German-born Turks, for example, to be excluded from German citizenship. Scholars identified with this argument include Yasemin Soysal, David Jacobson
David Jacobson
David Jacobson is an American screenwriter and film director from Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. His film Down in the Valley was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.-Feature films:* ...
, and Saskia Sassen.
In the European Union
The European integration has created a system of supranational entities and is often discussed in relationship to the concept of postnationalism.In the media
Catherine Frost, professor of political sciencePolitical science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
, argues that while the internet and online social relations forge social and political bonds across national borders, they do not have "the commitment or cohesiveness needed to underpin a demanding new mode of social and political relations".
In sports
Postnational trends have been evident in professional sports. Simon Kuper called the 2008 European soccer championship (UEFA Euro 2008) "the first postnational" European Championship. He argues that during the tournament both for players and fans sportsmanshipSportsmanship
Sportsmanship is an aspiration or ethos that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a sense of fellowship with one's competitors...
and enjoyment of the event were more important than national rivalries or even winning.
External links
- Mohammed A. Bamyeh, Postnationalism, BRIIFS vol. 3 no 2 (Autumn/Winter 2001)