We live in a globalised world for the main part. That much is for sure. We have countries, borders, trading regions such as the EU, economic systems, democractically elected governments, administrative systems of governance.
But how much of it is for REAL??
The global pandemic that is COVID-19, illustrates just how little all the aforementioned matter. Countries national borders dont really exist only on a map. The rapid spread of the COVID virus is proof of this argument. If borders did exist with adequate security checks then surely the virus could have been halted much earlier. In any event, borders are a figment of the collective imagination, introduced to instill a sense of nationalism (loyalty to ones country). This is now evident throughout the EU, with many news media stations highlighting citizens on lockdown displaying signs of nationalism and solidarity through song and ultimately through the national flag. It remains to be seen whether recent events will give rise to xenophobia, discrimination and hatred of anything foreign.
Will we see the rise of NATIONALISM??
But how much of it is for REAL??
The global pandemic that is COVID-19, illustrates just how little all the aforementioned matter. Countries national borders dont really exist only on a map. The rapid spread of the COVID virus is proof of this argument. If borders did exist with adequate security checks then surely the virus could have been halted much earlier. In any event, borders are a figment of the collective imagination, introduced to instill a sense of nationalism (loyalty to ones country). This is now evident throughout the EU, with many news media stations highlighting citizens on lockdown displaying signs of nationalism and solidarity through song and ultimately through the national flag. It remains to be seen whether recent events will give rise to xenophobia, discrimination and hatred of anything foreign.
Will we see the rise of NATIONALISM??