Racialism & Internationalism
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 19.1.3
Racialism
For a very small group of nationalists, belonging to the nation is determined by racial ties. The belief is that humans can be segregated into distinct groups who have unique genetic characteristics.
Racial nationalism
- The policies of the nation are designed to protect and advance the interests of the majority race.
- The majority race may advocate segregation or policies which assert racial supremacy.
- Racial nationalism may also represent the more sinister side of nationalism as evidenced by Nazi Germany. A racial form of nationalism was implemented as it sought to build the Aryan master race.
Racialism outside Nazi Germany
- In Britain, the British National Party have come the closest to advocating a form of racialism. Its hostility towards races that are not white was well documented yet yielded some electoral success in the noughties.
- It has also been argued that early America had a context of racialism as white Europeans were considered to be superior to Black people.
Internationalism
Internationalism is the idea that the world should unite across boundaries to advance their common interests in society.
Internationalism
- The ties that bind people within a nation are superseded by those of common humanity.
- Typical markers associated with nationalism, like citizenship, culture and race, have little credence in an internationalist world.
- This form of nationalism stresses that national interests can be better achieved through international cooperation and/or integration.
- This is typified by supranational organisations like the European Union.
Forms of internationalism
- Internationalism may take two forms:
- Supranationalism: power and sovereignty is given to an international organisation to use as it sees fit. For example, the EU
- Intergovernmental relations: individual governments work together to achieve common objectives. No power is given and unanimity is usually required. For example, the UN.
Internationalism in practice
- Some nation-states may agree to cede sovereignty to international institutions. For example, member-states of the EU have pooled sovereignty in order to achieve common interests at the supranational level.
- Nations may make policy agreements with other nations at an international level; for example, climate change.
- Internationalism has been periodically challenged as international crises trigger national responses. The European migrant crisis, for example, led to tension in the EU as certain countries refused the quota system and others reimposed national borders.
Test yourself on Racialism & Internationalism
Which statement is true of racialism?
What institution pools sovereignty in continental Europe?
What are the two forms of internationalism?
What does internationalism emphasise more than other forms of nationalism?