Nationalism can be understood as the ideological unification of a group of people under a common political identity: the U.S. in our case. It is exclusive in nature and arises from Western imperialistic philosophy. It has absorbed into its ideology accommodations for former human social identities, including tribal, ethnic, or religious affiliations.

It is a mechanism of distinction, separating Americans from Chinese, Iranians and Britons. America must shed this obsolete notion that compels us to a competitive relationship with the rest of the world. We are not so different from Egyptians, Australians or Venzuelans, and to continue to think so is certainly detrimental to the future of America and humanity.

The U.S. stands at the height of the world. Despite our recent decline, despite our poor relationship with the rest of the world, we still stand as the most powerful nation among a world of nations. When we talk, they listen. Indeed, we have won the game of nationalism.

Unfortunately, nationalism has betrayed us. Since the end of World War II, America has been behaving in a unilateral way, and the world is beginning to demand more from the supposed leader of the free world.

We are concerned with ourselves – the essence of capitalism. America is isolated from the majority of the world’s inhabitants. We are the bourgeois, and they are the proletariat. We all know what happens under such circumstances.

We consume more, spend more and emit more than any other nation or people through exploitation of the world. We make poor Indian children work for pocket change. We incite Middle Eastern violence, but all we really want is oil. We won’t cooperate with emissions demands, because we don’t have to. The list goes on.

This is a significant problem for America in light of the emergence of a true global community that is more connected and inclusive than ever before. Contrast to the realities of pre-21st century, America now faces organized and powerful international scrutiny. We have seen this as a response to our military engagements in the last 10 years. America can no longer justify itself with nationalistic sentiments, believing what’s best for the U.S. is what’s best for the world.

Globalization spells the end of the acceptance of the nationalist’s explanation for America’s intervention in any matter external to our sovereign state. Nationalism has allowed America to pursue what is perceived to be in our interest, but is wildly detrimental to the rest of the world. Now, the global community is finding a powerful voice that is evermore leaning towards curbing America’s imperial nationalism.

However, this should not be misunderstood as anti-Americanism and treated with hostility. Globalization ideology demands that America meet the rest of the world in the middle, not save the world. The richest country needs to share the wealth; the most powerful country needs to share the power; the most educated country in the world needs to educate the world.

We must abandon the nationalist pursuit in exchange for a progressive humanist pursuit. America must transition its objectives from the context of our sole nation to the realm of the entirety of humanity. What’s the problem in Afghanistan? They don’t trust us when we say, “We are here to help you.” Why should they? We’re capitalistic nationals. We have to profit or somebody else will.

This must end. We must demonstrate to the rest of the world that the needs of humanity are equal to the needs of America.

— Jess Eddy, religious studies and political science junior