The new nationalism

(written by Lawrence Krubner, however indented passages are often quotes)

But is it really nationalism? What is nationalism? Loyalty to the fatherland? Is that what is happening? Or a more general pulling away the larger scope?

Generational change is also playing a critical role in the expression of Chinese nationalism. Research performed by Western consulting companies reveal that the members of Gen 1, the 300-to-400 million 16-28 cohort born into China’s new prosperity, are far more nationalistic than their parents. Born into One-Child families, often raised by grandparents or family members other than their parents, their social ties are loose and they identify uniformly as consumers. They have little knowledge of the Cultural Revolution or Tianamen Square. Despite the publicity surrounding political dissidents, research shows that the overwhelming majority of young Chinese are proud of their government and accept its authority and direction. Unlike their parents, Gen 1ers prefer Chinese over Western brands. They are very sensitive to perceived Western insults to a rising China. Gen 1 is often overtly anti-American, thanks to an education system that consistently frames the U.S. as an enemy. This rising generation reflects and reinforces China’s growing nationalism.

America’s rising nationalism is taking a different form but it is powerful nonetheless. The positive consensus toward globalization that defined the U.S. economic model for many decades is unraveling as a result of the recent recession. The benefits of globalization are increasingly going to corporations and banks and a small number of elite beneficiaries, while the middle class gains little. The burst housing bubble, collapse of the stock market, and end of the credit explosion has left most middle class families no better off than they were 20 years ago. Wealth and income inequality are at levels not seen since the 1920′s. Outsourcing of blue and white collar jobs, and now R&D, is hurting the middle class, which cannot find the educational resources to increase their skills and value-added contributions. The Tea Party movement is a protest against big business and banking as big government. Increasingly, globalization is seen by the middle class as the enemy of their well-being, not the friend.